Ukraine-Russia war: Over 160 educational institutions destroyed by Russian troops in Ukraine

Kyiv, March 4: Over 160 educational institutions in Ukraine have been partially or completely destroyed by the shelling of Russian troops, the Ministry of Foreign Affairs (MFA) of Ukraine on Friday said.

"According to the Minister of Education of Ukraine, more than 160 educational institutions in Ukraine have been partially or completely destroyed by the shelling of Russian troops," the MFA tweeted. This comes against the backdrop of Russian forces launching military operations in Ukraine on February 24, three days after Moscow recognised Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Also read | Punjab: SC orders to transfer Sumedh Saini case to another HC judge Several countries, including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in Ukraine and imposed sanctions on Moscow. These countries have also promised Ukraine to help with military aid to fight Russia. The US, Canada and European allies agreed to remove key Russian banks from the interbank messaging system, SWIFT which means Russian banks won't be able to communicate securely with banks beyond Russia's borders. President Putin has also signed a decree on special economic measures against the US and its allies. Meanwhile, amid worsening fight between Russia and Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy on Friday urged world leaders to stop Russia "before this becomes a nuclear disaster" in a Facebook video post. "No country besides Russia has ever fired upon an atomic power plant's reactors. The first time, the first time in history," he said, urging European leaders to "wake up now" and stop Russian forces "before this becomes a nuclear disaster." Zelenskyy accused Russia of intentionally firing at the Zaporizhzhia nuclear power plant, after a fire broke out at the facility following heavy shelling from Russian forces. Also read | Ex-Indian Army chief Gen SF Rodrigues dies aged 88 The Ukrainian authorities said the power plant had not sustained any critical damage, and that radiation levels were currently normal, though the situation remained fluid and firefighters continued to battle the blaze. -PTC News