Latest: Here’s what we know about Russia’s attack on Ukraine

The Russian military said Thursday that destroyed 74 military installations in Ukraine, including 11 airfields, as part of the attack ordered by Moscow at dawn, after the start of the “military operation” ordered by the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin, in towns in Ukraine near its border.

Early Thursday in Europe, the United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting in New York (Wednesday night) over Russia’s decision to enter eastern Ukraine, while the body’s secretary, Antonio Guterres, urged Vladimir Putin to “prevent his troops from attacking Ukraine”.

Putin, who demands that NATO close its doors to Ukraine, assured that he was not seeking the “occupation” of this former Soviet republic, but “a demilitarization and denazification” of the country and defending the pro-Russian rebels.

22:40 Loud explosions are heard in the center of Kiev

Two loud explosions resounded early Friday in the center of Kiev, on the second day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, an AFP journalist confirmed.

“Attacks on Kiev with cruise or ballistic missiles have resumed. I have heard two loud explosions, ”said Ukrainian Deputy Interior Minister Anton Herashchenko on his Telegram account.

European media reports that Ukraine shot down a Russian plane over Kiev as the capital comes under heavy attack and Russian tanks move within 20 miles of the capital.

21:49 Ukraine regained the capital’s airport

Ukraine regained control of the Kiev airport that had fallen into the hands of Russian special forces, says defense minister. President Zelensky says that up to 60,000 soldiers are currently on Ukrainian soil and has ordered a full mobilization of all troops.

21:30 President of Ukraine regrets that they left his country “alone” against Russia

President Volodimir Zelensky once again regretted that no one had given him a clear answer about Ukraine’s aspirations to join NATO.

“They left us alone to defend our State. Who is prepared to fight by our side? I do not see anyone. Who is ready to ensure Ukraine’s accession to NATO? Everyone is scared,” she stressed.

“We are not afraid to talk to Russia. We are not afraid to talk about security guarantees for our State. We are not afraid to talk about neutral status. But will we have security guarantees? Which countries will give them to us?” she wondered.

19:00 More than 100 dead, Russia attacks civilians says Ukrainian president

The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky reported the death of 137 Ukrainians during the first day of the Russian attack on the country.

“According to preliminary data, Unfortunately we have already lost 137 of our heroes, our citizens, ten of them officers. 316 were injured”said the president in a new address to the nation.

“The enemy attacks not only military installations, as he claims, but also civilians. They kill people and turn peaceful cities into military targets. This is vile and will never be forgiven,” he stressed.

17:04 Joe Biden sanctions Russian banks

The American President, Joe Biden announced this Thursday sanctions against five large Russian financial entities, including the two largest banks in the country, as well as oligarchs close to the Kremlin, in response to the Russian invasion of Ukraine.

“This means that all their assets in the US will be frozen (…) We are going to stop Russia’s ability to finance itself,” Biden said during a speech from the White House.

He added that right now there is “a complete break” in relations between the United States and Russia, and therefore he has “no intention” of speaking by phone with his Russian counterpart.

15:48 Displaced and dozens of dead on the first day of attacks

At least 68 people died, both civilians and soldiers, as a result of air and ground attacks, according to a balance made by AFP based on official Ukrainian reports.

The general offensive that brought Russian forces closer to the Ukrainian capital, Kiev, has already left dozens dead and nearly 100,000 displaced, prompting a tightening of Western sanctions in response.

15:02 Russian casualties, according to Ukrainian sources

The Ukrainian army claimed to have killed 50 Russians and shot down five planes and a helicopter in the east of the country. However, the information could not be verified with independent sources.

13:55 Russian troops seized the Chernobyl power plant

The Russian soldiers crossed the border point of Vilcha, between Belarus and Ukraine, located in the Kiev region and 150 kilometers from the capital, took the Hostomel airfield, 35 kilometers from the city, and occupied the old Chernobyl nuclear power plant after heavy fighting against the Ukrainian Armed Forces, according to the Ukrainian Presidency.

12:20 Seven killed in Russian missile attack near capital Kiev

Ukrainian authorities say seven people have been killed and 17 wounded in a missile attack on a military area northeast of Kiev.

The mayor of Brovary, Ihor Sapozhko, where a Ukrainian Special Forces base operates, said the attack occurred at 2:30 p.m. local time.

It was one of several Russian attacks near the Ukrainian capital on Thursday.

Border guards said Russian troops entered from Belarus, 150 kilometers north of Kiev, to carry out a missile attack on military targets.

There were also ground incursions from the south into the Crimean peninsula, annexed by Moscow in 2014.

10:57 Curfew, national mobilization and martial law in Ukraine

Kiev authorities today declared a curfew in the city due to the situation caused by the Russian offensive in the country, announced the mayor of the Ukrainian capital, Vitali Klitschkó.

“This is an obligatory measure, but necessary in the current conditions of military aggression and martial law”, wrote the city councilor on Telegram, where he explained that the curfew will be in force between 10:00 p.m. and 7:00 a.m. local time.

He added that during the curfew public transport will not work, but the subway will remain open as a shelter 24 hours a day.

10:40 Russia will respond to EU sanctions

Russia vowed on Thursday to respond “severely” to sanctions applied by the European Union, saying these measures “will not prevent” Moscow from helping pro-Russian separatists in Ukraine.

10:28 Increases the number of victims due to the conflict

At least twenty-two people died as a result of a Russian air attack perpetrated today against a military unit located in the Odessa region, on the shores of the Black Sea, after the start of the operation ordered by the Russian president, Vladimir Putin, against Ukraine.

According to the State Emergency Service, 11 men and 11 women died as a result of the attack.

Previously, 18 people had been reported dead, but new bodies appeared under the ruins of the military installation.

Previously, the Ukrainian Presidency reported the death of more than 40 soldiers during the attacks carried out by the Russian Army against airfields and military bases in the territory of this country.

09:33 Russia has invaded the Chernobyl nuclear exclusion zone, according to Ukraine

Russian troops have invaded Ukrainian territory in the exclusion zone of the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, Anton Gueraschenko, advisor to the Ministry of the Interior, reported today.

“The National Guard, which is responsible for ensuring the safety of radioactive dumps, is fighting with all its might,” he wrote in a statement.

The official warned that if the deposits with radioactive remains are damaged, “nuclear dust can spread throughout the territory of Ukraine, Belarus and the countries of the European Union.”

The Chernobyl exclusion zone, which is separated from Belarusian territory by the Pripyat River, which gives its name to the city where the workers of the Soviet plant lived, has been patrolled for weeks by the Ukrainian National Guard.

The territory of Ukraine and Belarus were the most affected by the radioactive cloud caused by the largest nuclear catastrophe in history that occurred on April 26, 1986.

Russia attacks Ukraine

At dawn this Thursday, after the announcement of a military operation, bombings were heard in the cities bordering Russia.

Putin assured that he was not looking for the “occupation”, but “a demilitarization and a denazification” of Ukraine and to defend the pro-Russian rebels in the east of the country.

Shortly after his speech, explosions began to be heard in several cities in Ukraine, from Kiev to Kharkiv, his second city on the border with Russia, but also in Odessa or Mariupol, on the shores of the Black Sea and the Sea of ​​Azov. (I)

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