The Russian War on Ukraine — From the First Hours
In a series of scattered campaigns and attacks launched by Russia on Thursday, a sweeping land, sea, and air invasion of Ukraine began within hours,
marking the largest attack ever launched by one state against another in Europe since World War II, confirming Western fears about this development and its repercussions.
Russian missiles rained down on various Ukrainian cities like a downpour, and no one yet knows the full outcome of this situation.
Ukraine also reported groups of forces crossing its borders heading toward the regions of “Chernihiv”, “Kharkiv”, and “Luhansk” in the east,
as well as by sea toward the cities of “Odesa” and “Mariupol” in the south.
Explosions were also heard before dawn in the Ukrainian capital “Kyiv”.
Gunfire broke out near the main airport and air raid sirens sounded throughout the city.
Russia Announces It Has Destroyed 74 Military Installations Including Airstrips in Ukraine:
The Russian military announced on Thursday that it had destroyed 74 Ukrainian military installations,
including military airstrips, as Moscow launched a large-scale military operation that morning across multiple cities.
Russian Defense Ministry spokesman General “Igor Konashenkov” announced
“Following strikes by Russian armed forces,
74 ground military installations belonging to Ukraine's military infrastructure have been put out of service, including 11 Air Force airfields”.
Ukrainian Police: Russia Has Carried Out 203 Attacks Since the Start of the Day:
Ukrainian police announced on Thursday that Russia had carried out “203” attacks since the start of the day,
with fighting continuing across virtually all Ukrainian territory.
Border guard forces stated that the Ukrainian army is engaged in combat against Russian forces near the city of Sumy in the east of the country.
The Ukrainian Defense Minister said some Russian soldiers were captured during intense fighting.
A Ukrainian Military Aircraft Crashes Near “Kyiv” With 14 People on Board:
Ukraine's State Emergency Service announced that a Ukrainian military aircraft crashed on Thursday
near the city of “Kyiv”, with 14 people on board.
The aircraft went down near the town of “Trypillia”, located fifty kilometers south of the Ukrainian capital, according to the same source.
Russian authorities also threatened on Thursday to suppress any “unauthorized” demonstrations organized in the country against the war in Ukraine,
as Moscow launched a large-scale military operation that morning.
Russia's Foreign Ministry, the Prosecutor General's Office, and the Investigative Committee of Russia warned
Russians against participating in any protest movements,
and the Investigative Committee indicated that participants in any gatherings that contribute to
this “tense foreign policy situation” or in clashes will face prosecution.
Fierce Fighting Across Multiple Ukrainian Regions:
An adviser to the Ukrainian Presidential Office stated that Ukraine is engaged in combat against Russian forces along nearly the entire border between the two countries,
and that intense fighting is ongoing in the regions of “Sumy”, “Kharkiv”, “Kherson”, and “Odesa”,
as well as at a military airport near the capital “Kyiv”.
The Ukrainian official added that his country fears an airborne insertion of Russian forces,
with these forces attempting to breach the government district of the city.
Evacuation of the Russian Embassy in Ukraine:
Ukraine's Foreign Ministry announced on Thursday that it had recalled its chargé d'affaires and representative in Russia for consultations,
and had begun evacuating its embassy in Moscow.
Earlier, Ukrainian President “Volodymyr Zelensky” said that “Kyiv” had severed diplomatic relations with Russia
after Russia launched a major attack on the country earlier on Thursday.
Aircraft Crash:
The Government Emergency Service announced that a Ukrainian military aircraft crashed on Thursday near the city of “Kyiv” with 14 people on board.
The aircraft went down near the town of “Trypillia”, located fifty kilometers south of the Ukrainian capital,
according to the same source.
Incursion Into the City of Kyiv:
Ukraine's Border Guard Service announced in a Thursday statement that Russian forces had entered the “Kyiv” region from “Belarus”,
in order to carry out a “Grad” rocket attack on military targets.
An AFP journalist also reported unidentified helicopters flying in groups at low altitude
in the suburbs of the Ukrainian capital “Kyiv”.
Strikes on Russian Cargo Ships:
Russia's TASS news agency reported on Thursday, citing the Federal Security Service, that two Russian cargo ships
were struck by a Ukrainian missile attack in the Sea of “Azov”, resulting in casualties.
The Kremlin's Position:
The Kremlin stated that the military operation in Ukraine will continue for as long as necessary.
The Kremlin also confirmed on Thursday that the sharp drop in the ruble's value and the fall of the Moscow Stock Exchange
was an expected reaction to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.
Kremlin spokesman “Dmitry Peskov” told the press: “The emotional reaction of the markets and the financial sector was anticipated,
and all necessary measures have been taken to ensure this period ends as quickly as possible”.
