Russia-Ukraine crisis LIVE: UK says Russian forces opened new route of advance towards Kyiv

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy vowed on Friday to stay in Kyiv as his troops battled Russian invaders who are advancing toward the capital in the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.

Zelenskiy said on Friday that 137 military personnel and civilians had been killed in the fighting so far, with hundreds of others injured. Ukrainian officials had earlier reported at least 70 people killed.

Russia launched its invasion by land, air, and sea on Thursday following a declaration of war by President Vladimir Putin. An estimated 100,000 people fled as explosions and gunfire rocked major cities. Dozens have been reported killed.

US and Ukrainian officials say Russia aims to capture Kyiv and topple the government. Russia on Thursday seized the Chernobyl former nuclear power plant north of Kyiv, along the shortest route to the capital from Belarus, where Moscow has staged troops.

"(The) enemy has marked me down as the number one target," Zelenskiy warned in a video message. "My family is the number two target. They want to destroy Ukraine politically by destroying the head of state."

"I will stay in the capital. My family is also in Ukraine."

Putin says Russia is carrying out "a special military operation" to protect people, including Russian citizens, subjected to "genocide" in Ukraine - an accusation the West calls baseless propaganda.

Asked if he was worried about Zelenskiy's safety, US Secretary of State Antony Blinken told CBS: "To the best of my knowledge, President Zelenskiy remains in Ukraine at his post, and of course we're concerned for the safety of all of our friends in Ukraine - government officials and others."

LIVE UPDATES:

8:42 pm (IST): Russian President Vladimir Putin called on the Ukrainian military to seize power in their country on Friday, a day after Moscow launched an invasion of its southern neighbour.

"I once again appeal to the military personnel of the armed forces of Ukraine: do not allow neo-Nazis and (Ukrainian radical nationalists) to use your children, wives, and elders as human shields," Putin said at a televised meeting with Russia's security council. "Take power into your own hands, it will be easier for us to reach an agreement." Putin added that Russian servicemen in Ukraine were acting "bravely, professionally and heroically."

5:26 pm (IST): China's Xi speaks to Putin, calls for 'negotiation' with Ukraine: State media

3:17 pm (IST): Missiles pounded Kyiv as Russian forces pressed their advance and Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy pleaded with the international community to do more, saying sanctions announced so far were not enough.

1:10 pm (IST): Ukraine blows up Tetri river bridge to stop Russian tanks

1 pm (IST): Russian forces targeting civilians, says Zelensky

12:15 pm (IST): West Bengal govt sets up a control room for assisting students, people from West Bengal 

A State Control room has been opened under a senior IAS officer and manned by WBCS officers for assisting and helping the students and people stranded from West Bengal in Ukraine. The Control will be functional from 9.00 am to 9.00 pm in two shifts. Control room no are 22143526, 1070

12 pm (IST): Ukrainian forces downed an enemy aircraft over Kyiv in the early hours on Friday, which then crashed into a residential building and set it on fire: Reuters 

11:46 pm (IST): Andhra Pradesh opens helplines for students stranded in Ukraine.

11:27 am (IST): Punjab government has launched helpline (0181-2224417) for people of Jalandhar stuck in Ukraine as a measure to compile info of stranded people. People can visit the DC office, in room no. 22, during office hrs, to provide info on their family members: Jalandhar Administration

11 am (IST): Air raid sirens go off in both Kyiv and Lviv

10.40 am (IST): Inflicted 800 casualties among Russian forces, claims Ukraine Defence Ministry

The Ukrainian Defence Ministry has said its armed forces have inflicted some 800 casualties on Russian forces since the military operations began on Thursday. The ministry said more than 30 Russian tanks had been destroyed, along with seven Russian aircraft and six helicopters.

This comes hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy signed a decree ordering general mobilization, in the wake of Russian military operations.

"Deputy Minister of Defense of Ukraine Hanna Malyar informs: Estimated losses of the enemy as of 03:00 25.02.2022 Aircraft 7 units Helicopters 6 units Tanks - more than 30 units. BBM - 130 units. The loss of enemy personnel is approximately (to be specified) 800 people," Ukraine`s Defense Ministry tweeted in Ukrainian.

10 am (IST): International humanitarian and human rights law must be upheld: UN Secretary-General 

With the death toll rising, we are seeing images of fear, anguish and terror in every corner of Ukraine. The protection of civilians must be priority number one, says António Guterres. 

8:30 am (IST): Gold prices rise with Russia-Ukraine situation in focus

Gold prices rose on Friday, steadying after a volatile session, as investors reassessed the situation surrounding Russia`s invasion of Ukraine and fresh sanctions against Moscow from the West.

8:20 am: Loud explosions heard in central Kyiv, reports AFP

8:10 am: Demonstrators protest outside White House after Russia enters Ukraine

8 am: Gold rises with Russia-Ukraine situation in focus

7:10 am (IST): "We will bring you back home safe and sound," says India to its citizens in Ukraine 

7 am (IST): Brazilian President Jair Bolsonaro disauthorized his Vice President Hamilton Mourao for saying that Brazil opposed the Russian invasion of Ukraine: Reuters

6:57 am (IST): A satellite image shows ground force deployments near Krasnaya Yaruga

Photo: Reuters

6:43 am (IST): Japan imposes new sanctions on Russia over military operation in Ukraine

6:40 am (IST): 137 dead after first day of fighting, reports AFP quoting Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy

6:35 am (IST): President Zelensky says Ukraine 'left alone' to fight Russia: AFP

6:20 am (IST):  US President Joe Biden hits Russia with new sanctions for 'premeditated' Ukraine attack

President Joe Biden hit Russia with a wave of sanctions on Thursday after Moscow invaded Ukraine, measures that impede Russia's ability to do business in major currencies along with sanctions against banks and state-owned enterprises.

Biden described Russian President Vladimir Putin as an aggressor with a "sinister vision of the world" and a misguided dream of recreating the Soviet Union.

Read | Economies ravaged, millions killed and displaced: The cost of Russia-Ukraine conflict

But he held back from imposing sanctions on Putin himself and from disconnecting Russia from the SWIFT international banking system, amid differences with Western allies over how far to go at this juncture and criticism from Republicans that he should have done more.

Ukrainian forces battled Russian invaders on three sides on Thursday, prompting tens of thousands of people to flee their homes.

"This is a premeditated attack," Biden told reporters at the White House. "Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences."

6 am (IST): PM Modi talks to Putin, appeals for immediate cessation of violence

Prime Minister Narendra Modi on Thursday spoke with Russian President Vladimir Putin on the Ukraine conflict and appealed for an immediate cessation of violence as well as concerted efforts from all sides to return to the path of diplomatic negotiations.

During their telephonic conversation, President Putin briefed Prime Minister Modi about the recent developments regarding Ukraine, the Prime Minister's Office said in a statement.