Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine early on Thursday, after president Vladimir Putin warned foreign countries against interfering, saying it would lead to “consequences you have never seen”.
Big explosions were heard in Kiev, Kharkiv, and Odessa as world leaders condemned the invasion that could potentially lead to mass casualties and topple Ukraine’s democratically elected government, while threatening the post-Cold War balance.
Sounds of blasts were picked up by news channels broadcasting live from the country, including by CNN, causing reporter Matthew Chance to put on a flak jacket.
Ukraine’s president Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law following Russia’s military strike on the country. He also urged citizens to not panic, as a number of Ukrainians started to flee the cities.
“We are working. The army is working,” he said. “Don’t panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will defeat everyone. Because we are Ukraine.”
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A couple hugs in Central Kiev as bombs rain down in the capital
(AFP via Getty Images)
Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv on 24 February 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
(Anadolu Agency via Getty Images)
An injured man stands by a vehicle of an Emergency unit to receive medical assistance after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on 24 February 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions
(AFP via Getty Images)
View shows the aftermath of shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine 24 February 2022
(REUTERS)
People walk past the body of a relative outside a destroyed building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on 24 February 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
Ukrainian military track burns at an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, 24 February 2022
(AP)
A man sits outside his destroyed building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on 24 February 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
The body of a rocket stuck in a flat after recent shelling on the northern outskirts of Kharkiv on 24 February 2022
(AFP via Getty Images)
The body of a rocket stuck in a flat after recent shelling on the northern outskirts of Kharkiv on 24 February 2022
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Resident stands in an apartment that received a shelling in Kharkiv
(REUTERS)
People wait for buses at a bus station as they attempt to evacuate the city on 24 February 2022 in Kyiv
(Getty Images)
People wait for buses at a bus station as they attempt to evacuate the city on 24 February2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
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A rocket case lies buried into a road after recent shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine 24 February 2022
(REUTERS)
Smoke and flame rise near a military building after an apparent Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, 24 February 2022
(AP)
Firefighters work on a fire on a building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said
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Ukrainian military vehicles move past Independence square in central Kyiv on 24 February 2022
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Ukrainian army soldier sits in truck, after Putin authorised military operation, in Kharkiv region
(REUTERS)
Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine
(AP)
Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine
(AP)
Damaged radar arrays and other equipment is seen at Ukrainian military facility outside Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, 24 February 2022
(AP)
Smoke rise from an air defense base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine, Thursday, 24 February 2022
(AP)
Military vehicles drive along a street, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in the town of Armyansk
(Reuters)
Tanks move into the city, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Mariupol, 24 February 2022
(Reuters)
People board a bus as they attempt to evacuate the city on 24 February 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine
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A child stands at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine
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A woman reacts as she waits for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday
(AP)
People shelter at the Kyiv train station, Ukraine, Thursday, 24 February 2022
(AP)
An American woman cries after crossing the border and fleeing the violence in Ukraine, in Medyka, Poland, 24 February 2022
(REUTERS)
A woman stands in a street as black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv
(AFP via Getty Images)
A man walks on a street as black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv on 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
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Long car queues as Ukrainians attempt to flee amid Russian invasion
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Ukraine: Thick black smoke rises from reported Russian strike on Chuguev military airbase
The Russian president announced what he called the “special military action” during a televised address at 6am Moscow time, saying the attack was intended to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine - a false claim the US had predicted would be made the pretext for an invasion.
Mr Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia‘s demands to prevent Ukraine from joining Nato and for security guarantees. He also claimed that Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine but will move to “demilitarise” it and bring those who committed crimes to justice.
Alexander (right), reassures his son as his family takes refuge in a metro station in Kiev in the morning of 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
People hug as a woman with a suitcase uses her smartphone outside a metro station in Kiev in the morning of 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
People, some carrying bags, sit in a metro in Kiev in the morning of 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
People line up to withdraw money at a cash dispenser in Kiev in the morning of 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
Traffic jams are seen as people leave the city of Kiev
(AP)
Police and security personnel inspect the remains of a shell in a street in Kiev
(AFP via Getty Images)
According to Ukraine’s border guard agency, military troops unleashed an artillery barrage as part of attack from neighbouring Belarus.
Russia’s military claimed to have targeted Ukrainian air bases and other military structures, not the populated areas.
Anticipating international condemnation, Mr Putin said: “Whoever tries to impede us, let alone create threats for our country and its people, must know that the Russian response will be immediate and lead to the consequences you have never seen in history.”
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Watch live view from Kiev’s Maidan Square as explosions heard across Ukraine
A woman with a child and a dog walks at a metro station in Kiev early on 24 February
(AFP via Getty Images)
Local residents follow the news on their mobile devices in a bomb shelter on 24 February in Kiev, Ukraine
(Getty Images)
He further urged Ukrainian servicemen to “immediately put down arms and go home”.
US president Joe Biden denounced Russia’s action as an “unprovoked and unjustified attack”, declaring “the world will hold Russia accountable”.
Meanwhile, the European Union is planning the “strongest, the harshest package” of sanctions as British prime minister Boris Johnson said Western allies won’t stand by as Russia attacks Ukraine.
A handout photo made available by the Latvian Defence Ministry shows the first 40 soldiers of the 173rd U.S. Army Airborne Brigade after stepping off a military plane in Latvia, 24 February 2022
(EPA)
A handout photo made available by the Latvian Defence Ministry shows the first 40 soldiers of the 173rd U.S. Army Airborne Brigade after stepping off a military plane in Latvia, 24 February 2022
(EPA)
Ukraine was in the thoughts of everyone in the UK “during this dark time”, Mr Johnson added.
European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen said: “The target is the stability in Europe and the whole of the international peace order, and we will hold President (Vladimir) Putin accountable for that.”
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“We will present a package of massive and targeted sanctions to European leaders for approval,” she said.