Kiev: The loud explosion was heard in the city soon after Russia announced a military operation against Ukraine.

There were explosions in the capital and power had been cut. It appeared to be a full-scale attack on Russia against its neighbour and targeted the airport and key buildings. A large number of landing operations of Russian troops have landed in Ukraine's southern port cities of Mariupol and Odessa. 

Ukraine foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba said that Russian President 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.

Ukraine has also started calling reservists aged 18 to 60 in preparation for Russia’s military action.

Three casualties were reported on the Ukraine border following the military strike of Russian troops. Russia has used warplanes, troops have been moved to Donbass region.

Explosions also rocked the breakaway eastern Ukrainian city of Donetsk and civilian aircraft were warned away, while there were reports of naval landings at Odessa, Al Jazeera reported

US President Joe Biden warned Russia that the US and its allies will respond to its military action. In a statement, Biden said that “The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its Allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable”.

“I will be monitoring the situation from the White House this evening and will continue to get regular updates from my national security team. Tomorrow, I will meet with my G7 counterparts in the morning and then speak to the American people to announce the further consequences the United States and our Allies and partners will impose on Russia for this needless act of aggression against Ukraine and global peace and security. We will also coordinate with our NATO Allies to ensure a strong, united response that deters any aggression against the Alliance. Tonight, Jill and I are praying for the brave and proud people of Ukraine”.

Vladimir Putin has authorised a “special military operation” in eastern Ukraine, Russian state media reported at the same time as the United Nations Security Council met for its second emergency meeting this week to urge de-escalation and return to talks.

Read: https://24x7liveindia.com/russia-announces-military-operation-against-ukraine

UN chief Antonio Guterres condemned Russia’s actions in an impassioned appeal. “In the name of humanity bring your troops back to Russia,” he said. “In the name of humanity, do not allow a war to start in Europe which could be worst war since the beginning of the century with consequences not only devastating for Ukraine, not only tragic for the Russian Federation but with an impact cannot even foresee.”

Russia’s UN ambassador Vasily Nebenzya, who is the current president of the Security Council, admitted that “special operations” were underway, insisting to the other ambassadors that the action did not amount to war and was the result of Ukraine’s actions.

“The aim of the operation is to protect the people who for eight years have been suffering “genocide” of the Ukrainian regime,” he said, claiming the action was justified under Article 51 of the UN Charter (the article allows for individual or collective self-defence in the face of an armed attack on a UN member state).

Chuguev airfield. pic.twitter.com/Z6dPTO7FAb

— Андрей (@AndreyZhukovv) February 24, 2022