Hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin started a missile action on Ukraine, Russia’s defence ministry declared it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and air defence systems.
The defence ministry announced in a statement “Military infrastructure at Ukrainian army air bases has been rendered out of action.” On the other side, the Ukrainian military claimed to have shot down five Russian jets and a helicopter near a separatist-held area in the country’s east.
the army general staff of Ukraine said, “According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down.”
US President Joe Biden spoke with the Ukrainian President. The chat took place just after Russia started a midnight onslaught on Ukraine, with explosions heard across the country. Biden had previously criticised Russia’s “unprovoked and unjustified attack” and asked foreign leaders to speak out against Putin’s “flagrant aggression.” He also promised that Russia will be held responsible.
On Thursday, after President Vladimir Putin authorised what he dubbed a unique military operation in the east, Russian forces launched missiles at numerous Ukrainian cities and landed troops on the country’s south shore.
Intense diplomacy and Western sanctions against Russia failed to discourage Putin, who had amassed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops around Ukraine’s borders. It will be a matter to be seen how much more escalation flares up now.
