Ukrainian consulate closes in Novosibirsk

NOVOSIBIRSK. Feb 25 (Interfax) - The Ukrainian consulate in Novosibirsk has stopped receiving visitors against the backdrop of the Ukraine situation, the consulate told Interfax on Friday.

"The consulate is closed," a consulate representative said, without specifying for how long.

"Well, you know. Martial law. No comment," he said in response to a question why the consulate was closed.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the beginning of a special military operation in Donbas on Thursday morning, after the heads of the Donetsk and Luhansk people's republics asked for helping them deter an aggression of the Ukrainian army.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Ukraine had broken off diplomatic relations with Russia.