Explosions have been reported on Thursday in multiple cities in Ukraine and at least 40 people have been killed, according to an adviser of the Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy.
In a televised speech early Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin said he has ordered a “special military operation” in Ukraine.
Russian helicopters have attacked Antonov International Airport, a military airport in Hostomel, near the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, on Thursday, according to Ukrainian officials.
The Interior Ministry has confirmed that Russian troops have seized control of the airport. Airborne troops were filmed on the ground patrolling the perimeter by a CNN reporter.
Zelenskyy has since cut diplomatic ties with Russia and has declared martial law.
Russian forces are attempting to take control of Chernobyl, site of the world’s worst nuclear disaster, according to Ukraine’s President Zelenskyy.
According to Ukraine’s military, four ballistic missiles were launched from Belarus into Ukraine.
The United Kingdom Prime Minister Boris Johnson said a “massive” package of economic sanctions designed “to hobble the Russian economy” will be defined on Thursday “in concert with our allies.”
ATO’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, announced a virtual summit for Friday.