Russia vs Ukraine : Russian military forces have launched a disastrous attack on Ukraine, firing missiles on cities and military targets.
After Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war in a pre-dawn TV address, explosions and gunfire were heard throughout the morning in the Ukrainian city of Kyiv, which is home to three million people. The Russian forces invaded Ukraine by land, sea and air. Initial reports of those who have been injured include Ukrainian civilians and soldiers, and Russian troops.
The Ukrainian president, Volodymyr Zelenskyy, has after the invasion said that, his country “won’t give up its freedom”.
“Russia has embarked on a path of evil, but Ukraine is defending itself,” President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted.
Calling on Ukrainians to defend their country, President Zelensky has said arms would be given to anyone prepared to fight. He also urged Russians to take to the streets to protest against their government’s actions.
“What we have heard today are not just missile blasts, fighting and the rumble of aircraft. This is the sound of a new Iron Curtain, which has come down and is closing Russia off from the civilized world,” Zelensky said
With the destruction of homes and properties, several inhabitants have been left misplaced and shattered.
“We don’t understand what we should do now,” one woman told a BBC reporter. “We’re now going to a place where we can be safe and we hope we can leave safely.”
Mark, a 27-year-old sales executive, said he was ready to be called up to fight. “We don’t have another way,” he said.
In the wake of the invasion, several neighboring countries have begun preparations to take in a large number of refugees. Moldova alone has so far accepted over 4,000 people from Ukraine.
The February 24 invasion followed weeks of escalating tensions, as Russia massed troops along Ukraine’s borders.
The UK, EU and other Western allies have vowed to impose strict new sanctions to punish Moscow, but say they will not send in troops.
“These are among the darkest hours of Europe since the Second World War,” EU foreign affairs chief Joseph Borrell said.
According to a BBC report, dozens of people have been killed, including about 10 civilians. Six died in an air strike in Brovary near the capital Kyiv. A man was also killed in shelling outside the major north-eastern city of Kharkiv.
Russia treacherously attacked our state in the morning, as Nazi Germany did in #2WW years. As of today, our countries are on different sides of world history. 🇷🇺 has embarked on a path of evil, but 🇺🇦 is defending itself & won’t give up its freedom no matter what Moscow thinks.
— Володимир Зеленський (@ZelenskyyUa) February 24, 2022
A Ukrainian presidential adviser said that more than 40 soldiers had died and many more were wounded. Ukraine said it had killed 50 Russian troops and shot down six Russian aircraft, but this has not been verified.
Source: BBC.com