Troops Enter Ukraine from Multiple Fronts as Missiles Hit Key Locations
In the early hours of Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russian President Vladimir Putin initiated a “special military operation,” marking the beginning of Russia’s full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Explosions were heard across major Ukrainian cities, including the capital, Kyiv, with Ukrainian officials reporting that the initial strikes involved cruise missiles, artillery, and airstrikes targeting military infrastructure and border positions, including airbases.
Russian forces have entered Ukraine from the north, east, and south, with reported efforts to capture key cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Kherson. In response, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskiy declared martial law and announced that arms would be distributed to every Ukrainian citizen willing to defend their country. Zelenskiy condemned Russia’s actions, warning of a grim return to past conflicts.
By midday Thursday, the Russian Ministry of Defense claimed to have “neutralized” Ukraine’s airbases and air defenses, reportedly destroying 74 military ground facilities, including airfields, command posts, and radar stations for anti-aircraft missiles. Ukrainian authorities reported 203 Russian attacks and confirmed that fighting had broken out across nearly the entire country.
