A video filmed on Thursday (24) shows the aftermath of the bombing of an apartment building in Chuhuiv, in the Kharkiv region of eastern Ukraine. The fire could be seen in the windows of the building as firefighters worked to put out the flames.
Russian forces launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, attacking by land, sea and air, in the biggest offensive by one state against another in Europe since World War II.
Missiles fell on Ukrainian cities. Ukraine reported columns of troops crossing its borders with Russia and Belarus, landing on the coast of the Black and Azov seas.
Ukrainian officials said at least 50 Russian soldiers had died and six Russian planes had been destroyed. At least 40 Ukrainian soldiers are said to have also died. There is no official confirmation of the number of deaths so far.
On Thursday morning, long lines formed on Kiev’s main avenues as residents tried to leave the area. Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky called on the population to defend the country and said that “citizens can use weapons to defend territory”.
In his speech before the attack, Putin justified the action by saying that Russia could not “tolerate threats from Ukraine”. Putin urged Ukrainian soldiers to “put down your weapons and go home”. The Russian leader further stated that he will not accept any kind of foreign interference.
What you need to know about the attack
- In the early hours of Thursday morning, Putin ordered an attack in eastern Ukraine, in regions he recognized as independent; Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, air and sea;
- The attack takes place in at least 16 regions, including the capital Kiev.
- Ukrainian officials say at least 50 Russians were killed and six planes shot down in the east of the country; later, it was reported that 40 Ukrainian soldiers had also died. There is no official death toll released so far.
- Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky authorized citizens to take up arms to defend the country and asked for blood donations;
- Long lines were recorded this morning in Kiev on major highways, with residents trying to leave the country;
- Central European countries have started preparations to receive people fleeing Ukraine
- US President Joe Biden said Washington and its allies would impose “severe sanctions” on what he called Putin’s “premeditated war”
- China has rejected calling Russia’s moves on Ukraine an “invasion” and has urged all sides to exercise restraint.
- Belgium has asked the European Union to stop issuing visas to Russians
- European countries trigger Article 4 of NATO to launch consultations on the situation – which could trigger a joint response
- NATO will reinforce forces on alliance’s eastern flank, announces secretary-general
- European leaders like Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen promise tough economic strikes against Russia
See in the video below images of explosions and the movement in Ukraine after the attack.
Ukraine fights Russian forces along virtually its entire border with Russia.
According to the Ukrainian Ministry of Defense, at 15:00 local time – 10:00 GMT – “the fighting continued along the entire line of contact”, but no advance had been recorded by Russian troops towards the interior of the country.
The folder also stated that 4 ballistic missiles were launched in a southwesterly direction from Belarus, an allied country of Russia.
People shelter in Kharkiv metro
Metro stations in the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv have become shelters for residents amid an invasion of Russian troops. Close to the border, the city was bombed on Thursday.
Residents try to leave Kiev
Photos from the Ukrainian capital Kiev this morning show long lines of cars trying to leave the city after Russia launched an attack on the country this morning.
Heavy traffic was heading west, away from where the explosions were heard in the morning, with few cars heading east.
Reporter Mathias Brotero reported hearing noises that could be explosions early in the morning. See in the video below.
CNN International reporter Matthew Chance recorded the events live and had to don a bulletproof vest.
Source: CNN Brasil
I’m James Harper, a highly experienced and accomplished news writer for World Stock Market. I have been writing in the Politics section of the website for over five years, providing readers with up-to-date and insightful information about current events in politics. My work is widely read and respected by many industry professionals as well as laymen.
