Russia’s defence ministry has on Thursday said it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and air defence systems, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military offensive against his country’s neighbour.
“Military infrastructure at Ukrainian army air bases has been rendered out of action,” the defence ministry said in a statement carried by news agencies, which added that Kyiv’s air defence systems were “eliminated”.
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Ukraine navy base in Odessa is on fire after being bombed by the Russian army pic.twitter.com/hJCesehc5r
— Russia Ukraine Conflict (@Russiaconflict) February 24, 2022
An explosion was seen in the city of Kharkiv shortly after Russia launched an attack on Ukraine. https://t.co/xbaLe5x6vw pic.twitter.com/rDMFBKGz6S
— CBS News (@CBSNews) February 24, 2022
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MDB earlier reported that Putin ordered the launch of a military operation in Ukraine on with explosions heard across the country and its foreign minister warning a “full-scale invasion” was underway.
Putin in a surprise television announcement said; “I have made the decision of a military operation,” triggering immediate condemnation from US President Joe Biden and other Western leaders, and sent global financial markets into turmoil.
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Shortly after the announcement, explosions were heard in Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, and several other cities, according to AFP correspondents.
Ukraine’s border guards have posted video of Russian forces entering the country from Crimea. pic.twitter.com/ejFo5QxmLn
— max seddon (@maxseddon) February 24, 2022
Ukrainian border guards reported being under attack along the Russian and Belarusian frontiers.
Reacting, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law and said Russia was attacking his country’s “military infrastructure“, but urged citizens not to panic and vowed victory.
Also, Ukrainian military claimed to have downed five Russian planes and a helicopter in the east of the country near a rebel-held enclave.
“On Feb. 24, 5 aircraft and an aggressor helicopter were shot down near the area of the Joint Forces,” the command said on Facebook.
“The Joint Forces give a worthy rebuff to the armed forces of the Russian Federation,” said the statement.
Noting that Ukraine’s military units are keeping their positions, the command said “the enemy suffers losses.”
“Keep calm and believe in Ukrainian defenders. Let’s win together!” it concluded.
Additionally, Zelensky, an actor-turned-leader, spoke by phone with US President Joe Biden, who led international condemnation of Putin’s war.
Read Also: Russia: Putin Orders Troops Into Pro-Russia Regions In Ukraine On ‘Peacekeeping Mission’
Meanwhile, flights over Ukraine and from cities in southern Russia were cancelled, leaving the doves of people at various airports stranded.
UKRAINE 🇺🇦 … Airports are full.. People are fleein pic.twitter.com/n0XCzZiWgP
— Middle East Times 🇮🇷🇵🇸🇸🇾🇾🇪 (@middleeasttime) February 24, 2022
BREAKING BREAKING BREAKING TERRORIST PUTIN BOMBING AIRPORTS IN UKRAINE.
ORC MISSILE HITS IVANO-FRANKIVSK AIRPORT.
SOURCE: @AlchevskUA
pic.twitter.com/ziIfpo53Mw— Imam of Peace 🕊 (@Imamofpeace) February 24, 2022
Casualties are already being recorded in different parts of Ukraine following missile attacks by Russia troops.
[Image depicts graphic content] A man mourns near a body as airstrikes damaged an apartment complex outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine pic.twitter.com/ocuW4xzKTj
— ANADOLU AGENCY (@anadoluagency) February 24, 2022
Civil casualties, Uman, Ukraine 😢😢😢 #RussiaUkraineConflict #Ukraina pic.twitter.com/yn9UmM3KUt
— Marek (@MarekS013) February 24, 2022
Anti-aircraft systems being used in Kharkov #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/Icu3cDelYE
— Cj Man (@d_cjman) February 24, 2022
Ukraine is under Russian artillery fire and land invasion along its northern and southern borders, the border guard service said on Thursday, adding that Ukrainian forces were returning fire.
The border guards said that Russian forces were supported by Belarus and that an attack had been launched from Crimea, the Russian-occupied peninsula region on Ukraine’s southern flank.
The border guards’ statement reads;
Attacks on border units, border detachments and checkpoints are carried out with the use of artillery, heavy equipment and small arms. The work of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups is also recorded.
