News Analysis India

Tag: Ukraine

  • Sony Pictures Entertainment halts all business operations in Russia

    By ANI

    WASHINGTON: In a move similar to that of Disney, Sony Pictures Entertainment has also announced that it will suspend all of its business operations in Russia, following the country’s military operation in Ukraine.

    According to Deadline, this suspension by these companies will go beyond the standard theatrical releases which both studios had earlier halted.

    An email was sent to staff by Sony Pictures Entertainment Chairman and CEO Tony Vinciquerra. This boycott of Russia from Sony includes Crunchyroll stopping its anime streaming service in the country as well as home entertainment releases and future TV distribution deals.

    ALSO READ | Sony up for another ‘Spider-Man’ trilogy with Tom Holland and Marvel, says producer

    “Two weeks ago, we paused the upcoming theatrical release of Morbius in Russia. Since then, we have also halted our planned home entertainment releases, including Spider-Man: No Way Home, and any future television distribution deals. And just this morning, Crunchyroll suspended its anime streaming service in Russia,” Vinciquerra wrote in the email.

    He added, “And as you saw last week, Sony Group Corporation announced a USD 2 million donation to the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR) and the international NGO Save the Children in order to provide humanitarian aid to the people of Ukraine.”

    As per Deadline, Disney’s business stoppage in Russia includes content and product licensing, Disney Cruise Line activities, National Geographic magazine and tours, local content productions and linear channels. 

  • Rock band ‘My Chemical Romance’ cancel Russia and Ukraine gigs

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Rock band My Chemical Romance have cancelled their upcoming shows in Russia and Ukraine this summer due to the ongoing war.The ‘Welcome To The Black Parade’ musicians, which has Frank Iero, Ray Toro and brothers Gerard and Mikey Way, were set to perform in both countries this summer, but they confirmed the gigs have been axed in a brief statement on amid Russian President Vladimir Putin’s ongoing invasion of Ukraine, reports femalefirst.co.uk.They said: “With deep regret, My Chemical Romance is cancelling our Ukraine and Russia shows in June, 2022. We hope to be able to play for the fans there soon.”My Chemical Romance are the latest band to cancel shows in the region, as Green Day recently announced they were scrapping plans for a Moscow show during the conflict. In a statement, Billie Joe Armstrong and co said: “With heavy hearts, in light of current events we feel it is necessary to cancel our upcoming show in Moscow at Spartak Stadium.”We are aware that this moment is not about stadium rock shows, it’s much bigger than that. But we also know that rock and roll is forever and we feel confident there will be a time and a place for us to return in the future. Stay safe.”The likes of Yungblud and Louis Tomlinson also pulled the plug on the shows, with the former One Direction star having to cancel gigs in both capital cities. He wrote on social media: “Due to the recent events in Ukraine, I have to sadly announce that my tour shows in Moscow and Kyiv are cancelled until further notice.”The safety of my fans is my priority and my thoughts go out to the people of Ukraine and all those suffering from this needless war.” Meanwhile, Russia has also been banned from this year’s ‘Eurovision Song Contest’.

  • Amazon turns off Prime Video in Russia, halts product shipments to country

    By IANS

    LOS ANGELES: Amazon has joined the growing number of businesses suspending commercial activities in Russia in the wake of the country’s unprovoked attack on Ukraine.The e-commerce giant said in a statement that it is cutting off access to Prime Video for customers based in Russia, given “the ongoing situation in Russia and Ukraine.” Amazon said it also has ceased shipment of retail products to customers in Russia and Belarus and said it will no longer be taking orders from Russian customers for its video game “New World,” the only game the company sells directly in the country, reports variety.com.In addition, the company will no longer be accepting new Russia- or Belarus-based customers for its AWS cloud computing services, nor will merchants in those countries be accepted as Amazon third-party sellers.”As a reminder, unlike some other U.S. technology providers, Amazon and AWS have no data centers, infrastructure, or offices in Russia, and we have a long-standing policy of not doing business with the Russian government,” the Seattle-based company said in a statement released March 8.

    ALSO READ | UK sanctions Russians, including Abramovich According to Amazon, it has continued to partner with several non-governmental organisations to support “the immense humanitarian needs in the region.” The company said it donated $5 million to support people affected by the war and it has continued to match employees’ donations; to date, more than 10,000 Amazon employees have donated to the effort.According to Amazon’s homepages, “tens of thousands of customers around the world” have also made donations to benefit Save the Children and the Red Cross on the ground in Ukraine, according to the company.

  • Kitchens feel the heat of Ukraine war as cooking oil prices soar

    Express News Service

    The impact of the Russia-Ukraine war is already being felt in India. While our students studying there faced problems, now our kitchens too are facing the heat as prices of cooking oil have started soaring since the outbreak of the war.

    People are busy storing cooking oil, worrying that they may have to face a cooking oil shortage in near future. A reality check conducted across the stores of Davangere and Chitradurga showed that there is a severe scarcity of sunflower oil that is widely used in Indian Kitchens and cuisine.

    The price of sunflower oil that stood at Rs 141 on February 23 – the day war broke out – now stands at Rs 186 in wholesale market and Rs195 in retail market. Except for the oil packed by the co-operative oil major Karnataka Oil Federation, no other brand of sunflower oil is available in the market. Groundnut oil that was selling at Rs 60 per litre on Feb 23 is now being sold at Rs184 per litre. However, there is no change in the prices of the Palmolein oil, coconut oil, olive oil and other cooking oils.

    Experts in the field of oil repacking units told TNIE that if the war continues even after two or three days, there are chances of severe scarcity of oil in the market and the real trouble will start then. This will lead to an increase in the import of the palmolein oil that is imported from South East Asian countries.

    Speaking to TNIE, commercial officer of Karnataka Oil Federation Mahanandi said: “There is a sharp increase in the prices of cooking oil, especially sunflower oil that is being imported from Ukraine in large quantity. The refineries that were supplying us the oil have informed us that there is no supply of oil and once the contract is over, the supply will be stopped.”

    He also said that in the last 15 days, there is a sudden jump in prices of the Sunflower oil by Rs 50. The prices, which were standing at Rs 141 on Feb 23 are now being sold at Rs 186 in wholesale and Rs 195 in retail.

    Replying to a question on the shortfall in supply, he said the shortage of sunflower oil supply has led to this surge. People are also purchasing large quantities of oil, fearing scarcity in future.

    “If there is a shortage of sunflower oil, palmolein oil can be used as an alternative and it is on standby at Karnataka Oil Federation. People need not worry about the supply of cooking oil in future,” he said, allaying fears.

    “Except one litre, two litre and five litre cans supplied by Karnataka Oil Federation, 15 litre tins are not available. We are selling oil at Rs 95 per litre while having MRP of Rs 210 on it. During Shivaratri, we sold oil at Rs 140 per litre but now suddenly the prices have skyrocketed,” said Govind, owner of Sangameshwara Store in Chitradurga.

    “We are getting only Sun Gold oil from KOF and all other brands are out of stock. As sunflower oil is mostly used in South Indian kitchens, people are rushing to store as much oil as possible anticipating shortage,” he added.

    Oil stock withdrawn

    A cooking oil expert, on condition of anonymity said major oil suppliers in the country have withdrawn oil from the market anticipating hike in prices, because of which there is a shortage of supply.

    Joint director food and civil supplies Manteswamy agreed on the fact that the price of the sunflower oil has escalated during last nine days and the department, along with department of legal metrology is keeping a close watch on oil sales in the market. “In case of any complaints about hoarding, black marketing and selling the product above the market price, we will be initiating legal proceedings. We will ensure smooth sales of the oil in the market,” he said.

    Mid-day meals get affected

    Manteswamy also said that the mid-day meals programme will also get derailed if there is no availability of the sunflower oil from Karnataka Oil Federation and said that they have placed sufficient indent to the co-operative for supply of oil till the closure of the academic year

  • Indian students can study in our country: Hungary PM Viktor Orban tells PM Narendra Modi

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: Prime Minister Narendra Modi spoke over the phone with the Prime Minister of Hungary, Viktor Orban.

    The two leaders discussed the ongoing situation in Ukraine and agreed on the need to ensure an immediate ceasefire and a return to diplomacy and dialogue.

    PM Modi also conveyed his thanks to PM Orban and to the Hungarian government for facilitating the evacuation of more than 6000 Indian citizens through the Ukraine-Hungary border.

    PM Orban conveyed his best wishes to the Indian students who were evacuated from Ukraine and said that they could continue their studies in Hungary if they wanted to.

    PM Modi expressed his thanks on this kind offer.

    Both the leaders agreed to remain in touch, specially during the ongoing conflict as both of them wanted to work diplomatically and through dialogue to bring this conflict to an end.

    To facilitate the transfer of Indians from Hungary, the Indian Embassy in Hungary had on February 26th had issued an advisory saying that those stranded in Ukraine could cross into Hungary through the Zahony-Uzhhorod border crossing.

    “For this, a liaison unit from the Embassy of India had been stationed at Zahony and it was coordinating with the Consulate General of Hungary in Uzzhorod,” the advisory read. It also said that walk-ins were not permitted and those wanting to cross into Hungary had to do so via a bus or van.

  • Ukraine war: Home trip was never so sweet for Indian students of Sumy State University

    Express News Service

    NEW DELHI: As many as 682 students stuck at Sumy State University have finally left the war-stricken city and moved towards Poltava from where they will board trains for western Ukraine to be evacuated to India. The students expressed happiness and thanked the government of India and the Indian Embassy for evacuating the students after the delay of three days.

    According to Pinaki Ranjan, a fifth year student from Assam’s Nagaon, buses were arranged for the students to move to Poltava from where they will be evacuated to Romania and later to India. “The students were also joined by officials from the Indian Embassy and their university officials as well. We want to thank our government, diplomats, the Red Cross Society for this safe evacuation operation,” said Pinaki.

    On Monday, the mood became sombre as students were asked to deboard the buses at the last minute after the Indian Embassy reportedly informed the college that it would not be safe for them to embark on their journey to the Romania border.

    According to Pinaki, only three buses had arrived for more than 600 students. But he added  more buses were brought on Tuesday. Stuck in Sumy since the beginning of the war between Russia and Ukraine, the group of students had become restless as several requests to evacuate did not work out.

    On Saturday, the students had released a video stating that they will leave on their own and walk towards the Russian border. However, after an assurance from the government and a call from the PMO, the students backed out.

    According to Arindrom Phukon, a fourth year MBBS student, the situation at Sumy had become terrible with shortage of food and water along with regular electricity cuts. “We were hearing sounds of bomb explosions every hour. It had become a challenging task to enter bunkers. We are very happy that we are going back to safer zones and later to our country.”

  • 700-km road journey for injured Indian student before boarding flight; embassy hails driver

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Harjot Singh, the Indian student who sustained bullet injuries in Kyiv, was taken by road from the Ukranian capital to a border transit point 700 kilometres away under challenging circumstances so that he can board an evacuation flight to return home.

    Singh (31) landed at the Hindon Air Force station near Delhi on Monday evening on board a C-17 aircraft of the Indian Air Force that also brought back several other Indians from Poland.

    The Indian Embassy in Ukraine put out a series of tweets giving a sense of the challenging situation in which Singh was taken out of Kyiv.

    “Bringing Harjot Home. Indian student Harjot Singh who sustained bullet injuries at Kyiv was successfully transferred over more than 700km in the face of war zone constraints of bombing /shelling. Evacuated through Poland by IAF C17 Ac,” it tweeted.

    In another post, the embassy hailed the driver who transported Singh from Kyiv to the Bodomierz border point.

    “Kudos to Indian Embassy driver who successfully transferred Harjot over 700 km from Kyiv to Bodomierz border under dangers of shelling and constraints of fuel shortage, roadblocks, detours and traffic jams,” it said.

    India has been bringing back its nationals from Romania, Poland, Hungary, Slovakia and Moldova after they crossed over to these countries from Ukraine through land border transit points.

    Ukraine closed its airspace for civilian aircraft after Russia began its military operation.

    India has brought back over 17,100 of its nationals in 83 flights under “Operation Ganga”, which was launched on February 26 following Russia’s military aggression against Ukraine.

  • Ukraine crisis: Indian students of Sumy State University put off risky trek through warfront

    Express News Service

    THIRUVANANTHAPURAM: Around 700 Indian students of Sumy State University in Ukraine, who had planned to undertake the huge risk of walking 50 km through the war front to the Russian border, have deferred the move.  This, after the Indian embassy promised their safe evacuation soon and urged them to stay put in the university for the time being.

    “We were at our wit’s end when we came to know that evacuation of Indians from all other parts of Ukraine, except Sumy, was progressing. We felt we were abandoned. In such a stage, taking the huge risk was the only option before us,” said Niranjana Santhosh, a medical student who hails from Thrissur.

    The video message, in which Niranjana and other students announced their plan to walk to the border, had gone viral on Saturday, prompting the Indian Embassy to intervene urgently. 

    “It was also the news of the ceasefire that prompted us to head to the Russian border. But as we prepared to move, we could hear loud blasts and gunfire from afar. This convinced us that the fighting was still on,” she added.

    Meanwhile, a group of around 150 Nigerian students paid through the nose to arrange buses to the border. But they were stopped just a few kilometres from Sumy by the Ukrainian forces, the students said.

    Meanwhile, the fighting eased a bit on Sunday and the students were able to spend some time out of the bunkers. The university has now arranged a tanker that would provide drinking water in limited quantities every morning to the students.  

    “We are still huddled together, with our bags packed and ready for an evacuation anytime, as promised by the Indian embassy. Maybe it’s our medical education background that has given us the mental strength to endure these hardships. But the big question is: for how long can we hold on,” said Raifa Fatima, a fifth-year student of the university.

    Meanwhile, a direction from Indian Embassy to the students on Sunday to fill up registration forms has raised hopes of an imminent evacuation from the war-torn country.

  • Despairing Indian students await rescue from Sumy, melting snow for water but clinging to hope

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Melting snow to slake their thirst and fast running out of supplies, hundreds of Indian students trapped in Ukraine’s Sumy stand on roads every morning hoping “today is the day” when they will be rescued from the savagery of the war that has engulfed the nation.

    The wait, however, has got longer as fierce fighting blocks their way to safety across the Russian border.

    They have abandoned the idea of undertaking an arduous journey to the Russian border on foot amid fusillades of artillery fire and missile barrages, a day after the Indian government assured them they will be evacuated safely.

    25-year-old Jisna Jiji, a medical student, said they have no option but to wait patiently as walking to the Russian border is fraught with danger.

    Exasperated, the students in Sumy had on Saturday posted a video clip declaring they had decided to risk the walk to the Russian border in biting cold amid the fighting, raising fears about their safety in the corridors of power in New Delhi.

    Soon after the video went viral, the Indian government asked the students to remain in shelters and assured them they will be rescued soon.

    Aashiq Hussain Sarkar, also a medical student, tweeted, “Every day at 6 AM students are waiting for buses on the road. We still believe today is the day. But they keep postponing the date everyday. So please Don’t break our Hopes. #Sumy”.

    With most roads and bridges destroyed in the city and no transport available, Jiji said it is “impossible” to reach the border.

    “Moreover, we have heard the few foreign students who had managed to reach the border were sent back by the military. So we have decided to wait,” Jiji said.

    Jiji said many students were crammed in the basements of their hostels, melting snow to quench their thirst with little food left and power and water lines snapped.

    “We are still in Sumy. We have not got any update yet when will we be evacuated. But we cannot continue like this for longer. Our problems are increasing day by day. We appeal to the government to update us immediately,” said a girl in a video message.

    “There is no water here, electricity supply has been disrupted. There’s no money in ATMs, girls don’t have sanitary napkins,” said another despairing student in the same video.

    India had on Saturday “strongly pressed” the Russian and Ukrainian governments through multiple channels for an immediate ceasefire in Sumy to ensure a safe passage for around 700 Indian students stuck there.

    External Affairs Ministry spokesperson Arindam Bagchi said the government was not in favour of students venturing out till a safe passage was made available.

    Bagchi also said India’s main focus was now on evacuating the students stranded in Sumy, after the safe exit of Indians from Kharkiv and Pisochyn was almost complete.

    “STOP asking #sumystudents why didn’t we leave sumy!!! As if we had a choice and we didn’t go with it! #aveSumyStudents,” Jana Kalaji, another medical student tweeted.

    In the last few days, the students have been sending SOS messages and posting videos on social media, pleading for their urgent evacuation.

    The war in Ukraine has entered its 10th day without any indication of humanitarian corridors getting created for the passage of foreign nationals to safety.

    To evacuate its citizens from war-hit Ukraine, the Indian government has launched Operation Ganga under which thousands of stranded people, mostly students, have been evacuated from nations bordering Ukraine’s western frontiers.

    However, the evacuation from the eastern part remains a challenge.

  • Indian who was shot in Kyiv during Ukraine-Russia war returning to India on Monday: VK Singh

    By PTI

    NEW DELHI: Indian student Harjot Singh, who was shot in Kyiv a few days back during the Ukraine-Russia war, is returning to Delhi on Monday, Minister of State for Civil Aviation V K Singh said.

    On March 1, medical student Naveen SG from Karnataka was killed in shelling in Ukrainian city of Kharkiv when he ventured out to buy food for himself and fellow students.

    The minister informed on Twitter on Sunday: “Harjot Singh is the Indian who was shot during the war in Kyiv. His passport was also lost in the chaos.”

    “Harjot Singh, an Indian national who sustained bullet injuries in Kyiv and lost his passport, will return to India with us tomorrow,” tweets Union Minister Gen (Retd) VK Singh#OperationGanga #RussiaUkraineCrisis pic.twitter.com/uKxDjZgf05
    — ANI (@ANI) March 6, 2022
    He said Harjot Singh is reaching India with him on Monday.

    “Hope there is a speedy recovery with home food and care,” the minister stated.

    Singh – who is in Poland currently to facilitate students’ evacuation – had on March 4 told reporters, “Today, we heard reports that a student leaving Kyiv was shot. He was taken back to Kyiv. This will happen in a fighting.”

    The Ukrainian airspace has been shut since February 24 due to the Russian military offensive against it.

    Indian citizens stuck in Ukraine were being airlifted once they cross to neighbouring countries such as Romania, Hungary, Slovakia and Poland.

    Eight flights with more than 1,500 Indians will operate from Ukraine’s neighbouring countries to India on Monday, the Ministry of Civil Aviation stated.