Russia launches invasion of Ukraine after after Putin orders 'specialised military operation'

February 24, 2022

Russia has launched an invasion of Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin ordered a "specialised military operation".

Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odessa, and Sky News understands that borders have been breached in at least four areas of Ukraine.

Ukraine 'attacked from Russia, Belarus and Crimea' - latest live updates

Ukraine's foreign minister Dmytro Kuleba described the assault as a "full-scale invasion".

"Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes," he said. "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."

Key developments at a glance:
• Explosions heard in Kyiv and Kharkiv
• Shelling in western city of Lviv reported by Ukrainian emergency service
• Ukraine says Russia has launched a "full-scale invasion" and "war of aggression"
• Vladimir Putin ordered a "military operation" in Ukraine's Donbas region
• Joe Biden says US and its allies will respond amid global condemnation
• EU drawing up 'unprecedented' sanctions

What's happening on the ground

Ukraine reported columns of troops pouring across its borders into the eastern Chernihiv, Kharkiv and Luhansk regions, and landing by sea at the cities of Odessa and Mariupol in the south.

The Ukrainian interior adviser said there is shelling across the country, with at least eight people killed and at least nine wounded.

Armed forces are fighting hard in the face of a massive Russian artillery bombardment of infrastructure facilities, an adviser in President Volodymyr Zelenskiy's office said.

Explosions have been heard by Sky News in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, which seem to be close to the airport.

Sky's Stuart Ramsay, who is in Kyiv, said he was woken up by loud blasts, is still hearing bangs and lights are out in certain areas.

Air raid sirens were heard going off in the city.

Ukraine's state emergency service said its ammunition depot in Kyiv is on fire and that it has disabled its website temporarily due to a cyber threat.

Sky's John Sparks has heard distant thuds that sound like artillery on the outskirts of Kharkiv and said there is little sign of the Ukrainian military.

Shelling in the Lviv region has been reported by the Ukraine emergency service.

Blasts have been reported in Mariupol, a southern city, as Ukrainian tanks were seen heading to the city by Reuters news agency.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is urging people to stay home as much as possible and introduced martial law.

He said Russia carried out missile strikes on Ukraine's infrastructure and on border guards.

Ukrainska Pravda news outlet cited an interior ministry official saying that military command centres were hit by the air attacks.

The state border of Ukraine was attacked by troops from Russia and Belarus, Ukraine's border guards service said.

Border units, border patrols and checkpoints were targeted with artillery, heavy equipment and small arms, with attacks also taking place from Crimea, it said.

The governor of Luhansk is reportedly telling people to leave the region.

Ukraine said its Air Force is repelling a Russian air attack and the country is facing non-stop cyber attacks.

Read more: 'Full-scale invasion' - what do we know so far?
How strong is NATO's position in Europe?

Ukrainians have started fleeing some cities.

Putin's justification

In a television address announcing the "military operation" in the Donbas region, Mr Putin said clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were inevitable and it was just a question of time.

He said the aim was to protect people, but circumstances demanded decisive action from Russia.

He claimed the actions were in self-defence and that further NATO expansion and its use of Ukraine's territory was unacceptable.

Mr Putin said the response would be instant if anyone tries to take on Russia and in comments directed towards the Ukrainian military he said your fathers and grandfathers did not fight so you could help "neo-Nazis".

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