Pardafas Reporter
An explosion is seen in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv early Thursday, February 24.Photo : Ukrainian President’s Office
As soon as Russian President Vladimir Putin announces military operation in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region, Explosions have been heard to the east of the city’s international airport in the Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv.
Russia’s Defence Ministry says it has attacked military infrastructure at Ukrainian air bases and degraded Ukraine’s air defences, according to reports by Russian news agencies. It however, denied reports that one of its aircraft had been shot down over Ukraine. Ukraine’s military said earlier those five Russian planes and one helicopter had been downed in the country’s eastern Luhansk region.
Social media users reported hearing several explosions in the Boryspil area to the east of the capital, where the international airport is located about 25 kilometers (15 miles) from the city.
Earlier Thursday, Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky made an appeal for peace to Russian citizens, saying they were not enemies — but that Kyiv would defend itself against any invasion. However, today Zelenskyy declaring martial law throughout the country, said Ukraine will ‘win’ the battle.
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden denounced “unprovoked and unjustified” attack on Ukraine, pledging the world will “hold Russia accountable”. Similarly, UN Security Council members hold emergency meeting amid mounting tensions and UN Secretary-General Antonio Guterres urges Putin to “stop troops from attacking Ukraine”.
However, Kremlin says Ukraine separatists have asked Moscow for “help” against Kyiv.
