Russian aircraft dropped paratroopers at airport near Kiev, Ukraine says

Ukrainian military officials said on Thursday that 20 Russian helicopters and planes had dropped paratroopers at Hostomel airport in the Kiev region, where forces on both sides were fighting for control of the territory.

Ukraine’s defense battles against Russian invaders across nearly the entire perimeter of the country on Thursday after Moscow launched a mass attack by land, sea and air.

Several missiles were fired. Ukrainian officials said at least 50 Russian soldiers had died and six Russian planes had been destroyed. In addition, information indicates that at least 40 Ukrainian soldiers would also have died. However, there is no official confirmation of the number of deaths so far.

According to an adviser to the Ukrainian presidency, the Chenobyl Power Plant was captured by Russian forces.

In Ukraine, the population is divided between sheltering in subway stations adapted as bunkers and trying to leave the region towards the west. Long lines formed on Kiev’s main avenues. 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 Russians invaded several 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 the alliance’s eastern flank, the alliance’s secretary general announced.
• European leaders like Boris Johnson, Emmanuel Macron and Ursula von der Leyen promise tough economic strikes against Russia
• The mayor of Kiev has imposed a curfew in the Ukrainian capital
• The Chernobyl Power Plant was taken over by Russian forces

See in the video below images of explosions and the movement in Ukraine after the attack.