MojNews_ Russia has vetoed a UN Security Council resolution condemning military action in Ukraine.

The UAE, India and China reportedly abstained.

Eleven other members of the UN Security Council also voted in favor of the resolution.

Russia ordered a military strike on Ukraine on Thursday morning (February 24th). This development came days after Moscow formally recognized the independence of the Donetsk and Luhansk republics in eastern Ukraine.

Russia says Ukraine has not fulfilled its obligations under the Minsk agreements reached in 2014 and 2015 to resolve the dispute between separatists and Kiev. Vladimir Putin says Russia's military operation is aimed at demilitarizing Ukraine and "de-Naziizing" it.

Western countries have imposed sanctions on Russia on several occasions in response to Russia's military action in Ukraine. European countries are currently considering cutting off Russia's access to Swift's banking messaging system.