'Modi ji powerful; Putin may listen': Ukraine envoy's appeal to India for help amid Russian invasion

As Russia launched its invasion of Ukraine, the country's ambassador to India sought Delhi's help in stopping Moscow's offensive.

Addressing a press conference in Delhi, Igor Polikha first described the situation in his home country, and countered Russia's claims that its forces are only targeting military sites.

The Ukrainian envoy said that the country has already suffered civilian casualties due to attacks on the outskirts of capital Kyiv. "Relatives of my wife live just 15 km from the Russian border. Early in the morning, they were woken up by some explosions on Ukrainian territory," he said.

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Polikha also said that attacks were happening deep inside Ukrainian territory, not just at the border.

The diplomat then cited India's close relations with Russia to appeal to Prime Minister Narendra Modi to have talks with Russian President Vladimir Putin to desist from violence and aggression. "We are asking, pleading for the support of India. Modi ji is one of the most powerful, and respected leaders of the world," he said.