Around 50 Russian troops have been killed after Ukraine's forces reportedly downed five planes in the east, the country's military has claimed.
Warfare has begun this morning, February 24, following Putin's announcement of a 'special military operation' in Ukraine, essentially amounting to a 'full-scale invasion' after his deployment of 'peacekeeping' troops in the rebel-held 'republics'.
Initial reports estimated 'hundreds' of Ukrainian service members killed after Russia attacked the country's military infrastructure and airspace. Explosions have been recorded across the country, including in the capital Kyiv, with convoys of troops and tanks said to be entering Ukraine from all directions.
'Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now,' Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba tweeted.
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While there are conflicting reports, Ukraine's military has claimed it took out four Russian tanks near the eastern city of Kharkiv, as well as killing 50 troops near a town in Luhansk region and downing a sixth Russian aircraft. Russia has denied these reports, with its defence ministry even claiming the air raids pose no risks to threats to citizens and they're not targeting cities.
However, the blaring of air sirens on Kyiv has seen people either taking cover or making a bid to flee the city. Andrew Simmons, reporting for Al Jazeera in Kyiv, said, 'It would appear that military installations have been the target [of the attack] – there have been missiles attacks and the number of casualties and level of damage is unclear at the moment.'
'But the whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed,' he added.
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Footage has also circulated on social media of explosions in the distance and missiles flying across the sky, as well as tanks rolling into Ukraine.
As per Sky News, an adviser from the Ukrainian presidential office said the situation is under control and that there will be no 'blitzkrieg', which is a rapid attack intended to overwhelm the opposition.
Echoing the defence minister's pleas, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has since urged people who are willing and able to join the military's defence, as well as donate blood to help wounded soldiers in hospitals.
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Topics: Russia, Ukraine, World News, Vladimir Putin
