Russia launched a “full scale invasion” on Ukraine on Thursday.
Loud explosions were heard over Ukraine’s capital of Kyiv early on Friday morning as the second day of Russia’s attack began with a barrage of missiles.
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said “horrific rocket strikes” had hit the city and compared what was happening to a 1941 attack from Nazi Germany.
“Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany,” he said on Twitter. “Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of (everywhere).”
Horrific Russian rocket strikes on Kyiv. Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany. Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Severe all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhete.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 25, 2022
137 soldiers and civilians have died so far, according to official reports.
In a video address on early Friday morning, President Zelenskyy said the strikes from Russia were aimed at both military and civilian targets.
“They say that civilian objects are not a target for them. But this is another lie of theirs. In reality, they do not distinguish between areas in which they operate,” he said.
Whatever was shot down over Kyiv was pretty big pic.twitter.com/aV6a3VwPgX
— OSINTtechnical (@Osinttechnical) February 25, 2022
The president added that his country has been “left alone” to fight Russia. He vowed that Ukraine will defend itself and ordered a full military mobilisation.
On Thursday Vladimir Putin warned in a statement on Russian TV that any countries who attempt to interfere Russia’s operation will “face consequences greater than any you have faced in history”.
He urged Ukraine’s forces to stand down and surrender their country to Russian control.
Many of the Kyiv’s residents have taken shelter underground in metro stations – scenes reminiscent of those seen in Europe during WWII.
Kharkiv Subway tonight. Like something from the Blitz in London during WW2. Shocking. Where on earth will this all end? pic.twitter.com/zjryDyIna7
— Dan Rivers (@danriversitv) February 24, 2022
Many others who are fearing for their lives have started to flee the country, with many beginning to cross the border into Poland.
On Thursday, Zelenskyy declared martial law and urged all citizens to stay in their homes.
At a special meeting of the European Council on Thursday night, it was agreed that Russia would face “devastating” sanctions.
