With that it's a wrap to the LIVE updates on the Russia-Ukraine crisis for today. For more news views and other updates stay tuned to CNBCTV18.com.

Feb 20, 2022 8:58 PM

'Daily' western predictions of Ukraine invasion are provocative: Kremlin

Repeated western predictions of a Russian invasion of Ukraine are provocative and may have adverse consequences, Kremlin spokesperson Dmitry Peskov said. "The fact is that this directly leads to an increase in tension. And when tension is escalated to the maximum, as it is now, for example, on the line of contact (in eastern Ukraine), then any spark, any unplanned incident or any minor planned provocation can lead to irreparable consequences," he added.

Feb 20, 2022 7:55 PM

Russia and Belarus extend large military drills near Ukraine

The defense minister of Belarus said that the joint exercises with Russian troops will continue in view of the rising tensions in Ukraine. The exercises, which were supposed to end today, saw the arrival of a sizable contingent of Russian forces to Belarus, which borders Ukraine to the north. The presence of the Russian troops raised concern that they could be used to sweep down on the Ukrainian capital, Kyiv.

Feb 20, 2022 6:41 PM

Indian Embassy asks Indian nationals, students to leave temporarily

In view of the ongoing tensions, the Indian Embassy in Kyiv issued an advisory to all Indian nationals, asking them to leave Ukraine temporarily.

Feb 20, 2022 5:29 PM

Calm prevails at Poland-Ukraine border despite growing fears

As tensions soar in Ukraines east and Western leaders issue dire warnings that a wider war could be coming, calm persists along Ukraines western border with European Union nation Poland. A sports center painted with the Olympic rings in a small Polish community directly on the border stands ready to house Ukrainian refugees. For now, the center in Medyka is empty. At the nearby border crossing, there is no sign of Ukrainians fleeing.

Feb 20, 2022 4:36 PM

Russia and Belarus extend military drills north of Ukraine

Ukraine:Russia and Belarus are extending military drills that were due to end on Sunday, the Belarus defence minister said, in a step that further intensifies pressure on Ukraine as Western leaders warn of an imminent Russian invasion. The Belarus minister said the decision had been taken "in connection with the increase in military activity near the external borders" of Russia and Belarus and because of rising tension in the Donbass region of eastern Ukraine. NATO says Russia has up to 30,000 troops in Belarus and could use them as part of an invasion force to attack Ukraine, although Moscow denies any such intention.

Feb 20, 2022 4:21 PM

Shelling in east Ukraine, Russia nuclear drill raise tension

Hundreds of artillery shells exploded along the contact line between Ukrainian soldiers and Russia-backed separatists, and thousands of people evacuated eastern Ukraine, further increasing fears Sunday that the volatile region could spark a Russian invasion. Western leaders warned that Russia was poised to attack its neighbor, which is surrounded on three sides by about 150,000 Russian soldiers, warplanes and equipment. Russia held nuclear drills Saturday in neighboring Belarus and has ongoing naval drills off the coast in the Black Sea. The United States and many European countries have alleged for months that Russia is trying to create pretexts to invade. They have threatened massive, immediate sanctions if it does. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy called on Russian President Vladimir Putin to choose a place to meet where the two leaders could meet to try to resolve the crisis. Ukraine will continue to follow only the diplomatic path for the sake of a peaceful settlement, Zelenskyy said Saturday at the Munich Security Conference. There was no immediate response from the Kremlin.

Feb 20, 2022 3:48 PM

Explosions heard in rebel-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine

Multiple explosions were heard on Sunday in the centre of the separatist-held city of Donetsk in eastern Ukraine, a Reuters witness said. A loudspeaker in the area asked citizens to exercise caution. The origin of the explosions was not clear.

Feb 20, 2022 3:38 PM

Ukraine temporarily closes checkpoint in Donbass due to shelling

Ukraine on Sunday suspended operations at one of the seven checkpoints to territory in the eastern Donbass region controlled by Russia-backed separatists, due to heavy shelling, the Ukrainian military said. Incidents of shelling across the line dividing government forces and separatists increased sharply last week, in what the Ukrainian government called a provocation. Kyiv's Western allies say Russia is preparing to invade Ukraine and are concerned that the escalation might be used as a pretext.

Feb 20, 2022 12:57 PM

World Bank readies $350 million Ukraine disbursement, pledges more support

The World Bank Group on Saturday said it is readying a $350 million disbursement to Ukraine that the group's board will consider by the end of March as part of a plan for short- and long-term financing for the country. In a meeting with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on Saturday, World Bank President David Malpass said the group will continue to support the Ukrainian people and economy for short- and long-term financing needs, the group said in a statement.

Feb 20, 2022 12:16 PM

Ukraine receives shipment of machine guns and surveillance gear from Canada

Ukraine has received a plane load of machine guns, surveillance gear and rifles as part of a Canadian military assistance package, Ukrainian Defence Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Saturday. Ukraine has received plane loads of arms and military gear from NATO allies as the country braces for a possible military attack by Russia.

Feb 20, 2022 12:15 PM

What are false flag attacks and could Russia make one work in the information age?

US said that a false flag operation would give Russia the pretext to invade Ukraine by provoking shock and outrage. The Biden administration sought to undermine its emotional power and stop the…

Feb 20, 2022 11:15 AM

Nearly 2,000 ceasefire violations logged in eastern Ukraine, says diplomatic source

Nearly 2,000 ceasefire violations were registered in eastern Ukraine by monitors for the Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe on Saturday, a diplomatic source told Reuters on Sunday. Ukrainian government and separatist forces have been fighting in eastern Ukraine since 2014. An upsurge in shelling has thrust the region to the centre of tensions between Moscow and the West over a Russian military buildup near Ukraine.

Feb 20, 2022 10:54 AM

Zelenskiy and Macron talk about ways of immediate de-escalation in east Ukraine

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy said on Saturday he had an "urgent" phone conversation with the French President Emmanuel Macron and discussed possible ways of immediate de-escalation and political-diplomatic settlement in eastern Ukraine. Ukraine has reported an increase in ceasefire violations by Russia-backed separatists recently, and Kyiv's Western allies are concerned that Russia is poised to launch a military offensive against Ukraine. Russia denies any plans to attack its neighbour.

Feb 20, 2022 10:53 AM

US says Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time

The US on Saturday said that Russia could launch an attack against Ukraine at any time and said U.S. President Joe Biden will convene a National Security Council meeting on Sunday to discuss the situation. Russia's strategic nuclear forces held exercises overseen by President Vladimir Putin on Saturday, and Washington accused Russian troops massed near Ukraine's border of advancing and being "poised to strike."

Feb 20, 2022 10:01 AM

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