NEW DELHI: A recent report said that Prime Minister Narendra Modi will speak to Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday night amid Russia's ongoing military operations in Ukraine. Sources said that Russia itself had sought the intervention of the Indian Prime Minister. The decision came after a high-level meeting chaired by the prime minister to discuss the Russia-Ukraine conflict.

The tensions between Russia and Ukraine escalated after Putin recognized Ukraine's breakaway regions - Donetsk and Luhansk - as independent entities. Ukraine gained independence in 1991 after the disintegration of the Soviet Union.

Earlier on Thursday, Putin said that special military operations were being launched to protect the people in the Donbas region. He also warned other countries that any attempt to interfere with the Russian action would lead to "consequences". Leaders from a number of countries including the UK, the US, Canada, and the European Union have condemned Russia's military operations in the Donbas region.