After Putin's decision to invade: explosions in Ukraine - artillery heard near frontline
Created: 02/24/2022, 06:20
People in the early morning of February 24, 2022 in central Kiev © Daniel Leal/AFP
Several explosions are reported from Ukraine - they can be heard in Kiev and other cities.
The country closes the airspace for civil flights.
Update from February 24, 6:14 a.m .:
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyj has declared a state of war across the country.
According to
Tagesschau
, the Russian military has apparently focused on Ukrainian air bases and other military facilities.
The medium quotes the AP news agency as reporting on a statement from the Russian military.
Ukrainian President Zelenskyy confirmed attacks on military infrastructure.
At the same time, he urged citizens not to panic.
"We are prepared for everything, we will win," he added.
After Putin's decision to invade: explosions in Ukraine - artillery heard near frontline
First report from February 24:
Kiev - According to reports, many in Ukraine were awakened by loud bangs on Thursday morning (February 24).
Shortly after the "military operation" in Ukraine announced by Kremlin chief Vladimir Putin, explosions were heard in the capital Kiev and in other Ukrainian cities.
AFP reporters reported on Thursday night at least two explosions in downtown Kiev that triggered alarms in vehicles.
Explosions were also heard in the port city of Mariupol on the Sea of Azov, in the Black Sea city of Odessa, as well as in Kramatorsk and on the front line to the eastern Ukrainian separatist areas.
According to residents of Mariupol, which is close to the front line and the border with Russia, artillery could be heard in the eastern suburbs of the city.
In New York, Ukraine's ambassador to the UN urged Russia to "end the war."
At the same time he called on the United Nations to "do everything possible to stop the war".
Escalation in the Ukraine-Russia conflict: explosions heard in the country
Putin previously announced a “military operation” in Ukraine in a late-night televised address.
"I made the decision to launch a military operation." Putin called on Ukraine's military to "lay down their arms" and threatened retaliation for any interference in the Russian operation.
The government in Kiev has now closed the airspace over Ukraine to civil air traffic.
"Because of the high security risk," the airspace was closed and air traffic stopped shortly after midnight, the Ministry of Infrastructure announced in Kiev early Thursday morning.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said Russia had launched a "large-scale invasion."
“Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under attack.
This is a war of aggression," Kuleba wrote on Twitter Thursday morning.
The world “can and must stop Putin.
It is time to act now,” he urged.
(AFP/cibo)
