Explosions ring out throughout the nation, from the capital Kyiv to the Black Sea port of Odesa.
Paris:
On February 24, 2022, Europe wakes as much as a struggle on its japanese flank as Russia invades neighbouring Ukraine, sparking the worst battle on the continent since World Conflict II.
After weeks of hypothesis about President Vladimir Putin’s intentions following an enormous troop build-up on the border, AFP reviews in a high-priority alert shortly earlier than 6:00 am (0300 GMT): “Russia’s Putin declares a ‘navy operation’ in Ukraine”.
– ‘Full-scale invasion’ –
In a tv deal with, Putin says he goals to demilitarise and “de-Nazify” Ukraine, reiterating his unsubstantiated allegation that Ukrainian forces are finishing up a “genocide” in breakaway pro-Russian territories within the east.
He warns Western international locations in opposition to coming to Ukraine’s help, saying they face unforetold penalties.
Ukraine’s International Minister Dmytro Kuleba accuses Putin of launching a “full-scale invasion”.
Explosions ring out throughout the nation, from the capital Kyiv to the Black Sea port of Odesa and Kharkiv on the border with Russia.
Inside hours, Ukrainian border guards announce that Russian floor forces backed by tanks and different heavy gear have crossed into Ukraine from the north, south and east.
As air raid sirens blare, a deeply shaken Ksenya Michenka whisks her teenage son and their cat to the protection of an underground metro station off Kyiv’s historic Maidan Sq..
“We have to save our lives,” she says tensely.
Flights over Ukraine and from cities in southern Russia are cancelled.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky imposes martial legislation, stopping males of the preventing age from leaving the nation.
– Shockwaves and sanctions –
Worldwide condemnation is swift, with US President Joe Biden saying “the world will maintain Russia accountable”.
He calls Zelensky, vowing “help and help”, addresses the American individuals, and declares the US and the Group of Seven largest economies will impose “devastating” financial sanctions on Russia.
He vows to defend “each inch” of NATO territory however reiterates that the US, which is cautious of being drawn into direct battle with Russia, is not going to ship troops to non-NATO-member Ukraine.
Oil costs break $100 for the primary time in additional than seven years at first of a day by which costs for aluminium, of which Russia is a key producer, and wheat, of which Ukraine is a prime grower, reaching document highs.
The Russian ruble falls 9 % in opposition to the greenback a number of hours after the invasion.
Within the afternoon NATO chief, Jens Stoltenberg says the alliance is activating its “defence plans” for members.
EU leaders impose stinging sanctions concentrating on Russia’s monetary, power and transport sectors.
China goes in opposition to the tide of worldwide condemnation, telling Russia’s international minister it understands Moscow’s “affordable considerations on safety points” in Ukraine.
– Air superiority –
Russia strikes rapidly to attempt hobble Ukraine’s defence capabilities, claiming to have destroyed greater than 70 navy targets, together with 11 airfields.
Ukraine, in the meantime, says it has downed 5 Russian planes and a helicopter.
Within the japanese city of Chuguiv, AFP sees a person in his thirties weeping over the physique of his father who was killed in a missile strike and meets Olena Kurilo, a 52-year-old trainer, her face coated in bandages from flying glass.
Kurilo, whose bloodied options develop into one of many iconic photos of the struggle, tells AFP she “by no means thought” that Russia would invade Ukraine however is prepared to withstand.
“By no means, below any circumstances will I undergo Putin. It’s higher to die,” she says.
– Zelensky stays in Kyiv –
Russian forces break within the early afternoon into the area north of the capital Kyiv, attacking Ukrainian positions with Grad missiles.
A few of the fiercest preventing takes place at Gostomel airfield to the northwest of Kyiv, which is occupied by Russian forces however later recaptured by the Ukrainians.
A US defence official says Russia seems intent on “decapitating” Ukraine’s authorities and putting in a pro-Russian regime instead.
Zelensky makes the primary in a collection of dramatic self-shot movies from Kyiv, vowing to remain and defend the nation.
Within the night Ukraine declares that after a fierce battle Russian forces have captured the Chernobyl nuclear energy plant, which suffered a catastrophic meltdown in 1986.
– Response and refugees –
Poland opens 9 reception centres alongside its border with Ukraine to organize for what’s going to change into the most important motion of refugees since World Conflict II.
Large tailbacks kind on roads main west out of Kyiv in the direction of the Polish border.
Putin begins a clampdown on opposition to the struggle at dwelling, with greater than 1,400 anti-war protesters arrested in Moscow and St Petersburg.
The primary indicators of disapproval come from the world of sports activities, with the Worldwide Olympic Committee harshly criticising Russia for violating the “Olympic Truce” for the Beijing Winter Video games.
By the tip of the primary day of preventing, at the very least 137 navy and civilian Ukrainian “heroes” have been killed and 317 wounded, in keeping with Zelensky.
The UN refugee company says some 100,000 individuals have been displaced, 1000’s of whom have fled overseas.
(Apart from the headline, this story has not been edited by NDTV employees and is revealed from a syndicated feed.)
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