Hundreds of casualties were reported in Ukraine moments after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion.
On Thursday morning, Putin insisted that Russia would avoid populated areas and attack only military targets.
Ukrainian officials, however, have since already reported heavy losses after Russian troops stormed the country and explosions took place in several cities including Mariupol, Kharkiv, Odesa, and the capital of Kyiv.
According to the Ukrainian government, several hundred people were already killed as a result of the conflict.
Meanwhile, the Ukrainian military confirmed they managed to shoot down one Russian helicopter and five jets.
Furthermore, it has been reported that Russia proceeded with the invasion not only from the East but also via the border with Belarus and from Crimea.
“The state border of Ukraine was attacked by troops from Russia and Belarus. At about 5 am, the state border of Ukraine, in the area with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus, was attacked by Russian troops supported by Belarus,” the spokesperson for the Ukrainian government revealed Thursday.
“Attacks on border units, border patrols and checkpoints are carried out with the use of artillery, heavy equipment and small arms.
“This is happening within Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions.”
He added: “The work of enemy sabotage and reconnaissance groups is also recorded,’ the spokesman continued.
“Depending on the situation on the border, border guards together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine are firing at the enemy. Information on injuries among border guards is being clarified.”
Meanwhile, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, the president of Ukraine, addressed the nation and urged the people to stay at home and stay strong as martial law was declared across the country.
“We are working. The army is working. Don’t panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will defeat everyone. Because we are Ukraine,” he said.
Meanwhile, several unconfirmed reports claim that masses of seaborne Russian soldiers landed in Odesa and that the Russian army immobilized the Ukrainian navy and occupied Boryspil Airport in Kyiv.
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