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Russia launches ‘military op’ in Ukraine, missile strikes in capital: 10 facts

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Russia launches ‘military op’ in Ukraine, missile strikes in capital: 10 facts

In a surprise move, Russia’s Vladimir Putin on Thursday announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday. “I have made the decision of a military operation,” he said in a televised address, news agency AFP reported. With Ukraine on edge in the midst of invasion fears, Kremlin earlier said that rebel leaders sought support against what was described as “aggression from the Ukrainian Armed Forces”. Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy, meanwhile, stressed that he tried to reach out to Putin, warning that Kremlin could “start a major war in Europe”.

Here are ten latest developments on the Russia-Ukraine crisis:

  1. Russia’s Putin has said the “responsibility of any bloodshed will be on the conscience of Ukrainian regime.” “Our plans (of special military operation) in Ukraine do not include occupying Ukrainian territory. We will aim at demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine,” he was quoted as saying in reports. Military command centres in the capital city of Kyiv and another city Kharkiv have been attacked by missile strikes, Reuters reported, citing local media.
  2. As Ukraine said Russia has launched “full invasion”, US President Joe Biden warned of “catastrophic loss of life” after his Russian counterpart’s announcement. “I’ll be monitoring the situation from White House this evening and get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I’ll meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning… We’ll coordinate with our NATO allies,” he added.
  3. Russia and Ukraine representatives sparred at the United Nations as Kremlin insisted the latest decision was to “protect people”. “Russian President on record declared war…It’s the responsibility of this body to stop this war,” the Kyiv representative said at the second UN emergency meeting this week.
  4. On rebel leaders’ request for Russia support, Kremlin spokesman Dmitry Peskov said, “Kiev is continuing its military buildup along the line of disengagement” and “republics are experiencing the destruction of civil and industrial infrastructure, schools, hospitals, and kindergartens”. Blasts were heard early on Thursday in the separatist-held eastern Ukraine city of Donetsk.
  5. Ukrainian President, in an emotional address, said that his country “is not a threat to Russia”. Hours after the declaration of the national emergency on Wednesday, he underlined, “The people of Ukraine and the government of Ukraine want peace. But if the nation comes under an attack, we will fight back.” “There was no answer, only silence”, Zelensky said on his attempts to reaching out to Putin in his appeal to stop a “major war in Europe”.
  6. In growing support at the United Nations, countries – including China that has usually backed Russia – spoke for Ukraine’s sovereignty. UN chief has asked for Russia to stop its troops from attacking Ukraine.
  7. Cyberattacks reportedly continue in Ukraine as the number of Russian troops swell at the borders. Cybersecurity firm ESET’s researchers were quoted as saying by news agency Reuters that hundreds of computers were hit across the country with malware.
  8. The European Union has announced sanctions against Russia defence minister Sergei Shoigu and military chiefs, news agency AFP reported. Asset freezes and visa bans are among the sanctions introduced on the commanders of Russia’s army, navy and air force by the 27-nation bloc.
  9. The US has accused Russia and China of trying to create a profoundly “illiberal world order”. “We think that Russia and the PRC also want a world order. But this is an order that is and would be profoundly illiberal, an order that stands in contrast to the system that countries around the world … have built in the last seven decades. It is an order that is in many ways destructive, rather than additive,” US State Department spokesperson Ned Price said.
  10. Tensions escalated earlier this week as Russia recognised the rebel regions as independent in a violation of 2015 peace plan – a move that also allowed Kremlin to move troops in Ukraine . What followed was a series of sanctions by nations across the world on Russia and global condemnation. Ukraine on Wednesday announced a 30-day emergency. Kremlin has been repeating that it does not plan to invade Ukraine..

Complete News Source : Hindustan Times

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Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

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Stranded in Israel amid airstrikes, Caitlyn Jenner sips wine in bomb shelter and says, ‘Pray for us’

The world watched in disbelief as Caitlyn Jenner, the Olympic champion turned global media personality, appeared on social media from a bomb shelter in Israel. Clutching a glass of wine, her video was both surreal and deeply human, capturing a strange blend of calmness and fear as airstrikes echoed above.

Jenner had traveled to Israel for a speaking engagement and wellness summit. The trip, meant to focus on self-discovery and global connection, took an unexpected turn as tensions in the region escalated. Within hours of her arrival in Tel Aviv, the air raid sirens began blaring. Israeli cities braced for potential attacks, and all foreign visitors were advised to seek shelter.

She was rushed by her team to a fortified bomb shelter inside her hotel, a space where several other international guests also gathered. The cemented underground room had minimal lighting, emergency supplies, and a haunting silence broken only by the distant thuds of intercepted rockets.

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In that moment, Caitlyn chose to document the situation—not to sensationalize it, but to remind the world that even celebrities are not immune to war. She raised her glass of Merlot and softly said to the camera, “We’re okay, for now. But pray for us. This is very real.”

The video instantly went viral. The internet reacted with a mix of empathy, disbelief, and critique. Some applauded her for staying composed and using her platform to raise awareness. Others questioned the optics—wine in a war zone, they argued, might seem out of touch. But most agreed on one thing: this wasn’t a publicity stunt. It was a raw moment of a person caught off guard by war.

Outside, the Iron Dome system of Israel roared to life, intercepting rockets mid-air. The bomb shelter would shake slightly each time a missile was taken down. Caitlyn later shared how that sound felt—“like thunder wrapped in relief.”

Her family in the U.S., including daughters Kendall and Kylie Jenner, shared their support on social media, asking fans to pray not just for Caitlyn but for all those affected by the conflict. Kris Jenner reportedly stayed in constant contact with Israeli officials and the U.S. embassy to ensure her daughter’s safety.

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What made this event even more gripping was Caitlyn’s tone throughout her updates. She wasn’t panicked. She was composed. Even as distant blasts echoed through the concrete walls, she smiled gently and whispered, “We have to believe peace will come.”

Celebrities like Gal Gadot, who served in the Israeli military, showed support and emphasized how civilians on both sides are the ones who suffer most. Public figures including politicians, diplomats, and human rights activists weighed in, turning Caitlyn’s clip into a symbol of global vulnerability.

Back in the U.S., late-night hosts and news commentators debated the moment. Was it a modern-day war diary? Was it tone-deaf privilege? Or was it simply human—a celebrity stripped of luxury, facing a fear no fame could shield her from?

Amid the criticism, one thing was clear: Caitlyn’s update gave millions a personal look into what it’s like to be stuck in the crossfire of geopolitical chaos. Her message was universal—war is real, and no one is truly safe.

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She later thanked Israeli defense personnel for their swift actions and praised the people she was sheltered with for their kindness. “There was no panic. Just humanity,” she wrote in another post.

As things began to settle, Caitlyn was finally escorted to Ben Gurion Airport under tight security. She flew back to Los Angeles and appeared on major media outlets to discuss her harrowing experience.

During a heartfelt interview, she said, “This isn’t about politics. This is about people. The children I saw in shelters. The elderly woman holding my hand. The hope in the eyes of the hotel staff, despite the fear. It changes you.”

In a time when conflict often feels distant or abstract, Caitlyn Jenner’s first-hand account pierced through the noise. It reminded the world that bombs don’t differentiate between the famous and the forgotten.

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Her final message from the airport lounge, before leaving Israeli soil, was simple: “I’ll carry these memories forever. Pray for the region. Pray for peace. We all deserve it.”

Despite her celebrity status, Caitlyn found herself reduced to the same level of vulnerability as everyone else in that shelter. The walls that separated the public from the private life of a global icon came crashing down, both literally and symbolically.

At one point during the shelter-in-place order, someone recognized her and gently approached, not for a selfie, but simply to ask, “Is this your first time in Israel?” Caitlyn smiled and nodded. The conversation turned from fame to fear, and from politics to prayer.

She later said it was one of the most authentic conversations she’d had in years—no red carpet, no cameras, just two people sharing a moment in crisis.

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The emotional toll of the night would weigh on her. In her reflection shared the next day, Caitlyn wrote on X, formerly Twitter, “When you hear bombs falling and realize no amount of wealth can protect you from it—only faith, and the people beside you, matter.”

As missiles were intercepted above ground, the shelter saw shared snacks, whispered reassurances, and even quiet laughter. One Israeli teenager started playing soft music from their phone—Caitlyn remembered the melody was “Hallelujah” by Leonard Cohen. It brought some in the room to tears.

The glass of wine she held was not about luxury—it became a symbol. “It was a reminder that life continues, even under threat. We hold on to small rituals to feel human,” she explained later.

Media coverage around the world exploded. Her moment, intended to show resilience, was misinterpreted by some as performative. However, defenders of Jenner pointed out that she never intended it to be a political statement—it was an unfiltered human response to a terrifying situation.

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Israeli news networks featured her brief clips, and Hebrew-language newspapers highlighted her gratitude toward the IDF and the civilians she met. Some Israeli citizens thanked her for not fleeing immediately like many foreign visitors had.

Caitlyn’s perspective gave international audiences a glimpse into daily life in conflict zones—where war isn’t just explosions, but the long silences in between, filled with fear, hope, and quiet strength.

Her celebrity status amplified the story, but the emotions she captured resonated with anyone who has ever faced uncertainty. Parents hiding with their children. Travelers stuck abroad. Locals adjusting to fear as a way of life.

Back home, her updates sparked broader conversations about how the media portrays war—often through filtered lenses. But in Caitlyn’s case, it was raw, unpolished, and emotionally honest.

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The experience transformed her. She later expressed that despite the horror, she felt deeply connected to those around her. “You learn more about yourself in a bomb shelter than at a luxury spa,” she quipped with characteristic humor.

She also pledged to raise awareness for organizations helping displaced families and war-affected children in both Israel and Gaza. “No child should hear what I heard that night. Or live in shelters like that for weeks,” she said.

Though she was safely home days later, the psychological aftershocks lingered. She admitted she now jumps at sudden loud noises and finds herself thinking about those who remain in conflict zones, day after day.

Her story drew attention not just because it involved a public figure, but because it transcended fame. It was a portrait of shared humanity in crisis.

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Global news agencies continued to dissect the moment for days. Some called it “a turning point in how we perceive war.” Others debated whether the wine glass dulled the seriousness of the situation or emphasized the absurdity of war.

In her final Instagram post from that trip, she included a picture of the bunker wall—where someone had drawn a peace sign using lipstick. The caption read simply: “Hope never hides.”

As the media attention faded, Caitlyn returned to her advocacy work and television appearances. But she continued to speak in private events and podcasts about the need to support civilians in conflict zones—not just with policy, but with empathy.

She’s now reportedly working on a short documentary that will feature her footage and interviews with the people she met during the ordeal. Proceeds are expected to go to humanitarian aid.

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From fame to fear, from red carpets to concrete shelters, Caitlyn Jenner’s experience in Israel reminded the world that war respects no boundaries—but neither does compassion.

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