"In the name of humanity": Pleads UN chief over Russian invasion of east Ukraine

"This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now", Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said on Twitter.

Russian President Vladimir Putin today announced a military operation in Ukraine to protect separatists in the east of the country, called the Donbas region.

"I have already decided to work for the military," Putin said in a statement on television just before 6 a.m. on February 24'22.

Many weeks of intensive negotiations to stop the war and impose Western sanctions on Russia have failed to stop Mr Putin, who had rallied between 150,000 and 200,000 troops on Ukraine's borders.

Russian troops have demolished 74 Ukrainian military bases, including 11 air bases. The department also confirmed the loss of the Su-25 aircraft due to "pilot error." In addition, Defense Minister Sergei Shoigu has ordered that Ukrainian troops be treated with “respect” and that those who lay down their weapons provide safe passage.

Meanwhile, at least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and about 10 civilians have been killed in Russian bombings, a Reuters report quoting Ukrainian adviser to President Volodymyr Zelenskiy on February 24.

AFP reported that Ukraine claimed to have killed ‘about 50 Russian citizens’ without providing details. The dead are the latest in a series of rapid developments that began when Russian President Vladimir Putin declared a military operation in Ukraine.

Russia has also called on Ukrainian troops to lay down their arms, and justify the "massacre" in eastern Ukraine. US President Biden was quick to warn of Russia's "consequences" and said the world would "hold Russia accountable" for its actions.

Biden said Russia's move would create a "catastrophic loss of life and human suffering", while a NATO official condemned Russia's "reckless and insensitive" attacks on Ukraine.

Russia's air strikes have hit military bases across the country and troops from the north, south and east, are beginning to lose control of Western leaders and warnings of severe sanctions.

In one of the worst strikes reported by authorities, 18 people were killed at a military base near the Ukrainian port city of Odessa, Ukraine.

Ukrainian border guards say Russian troops have reached a region around the capital, Kyiv.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said the "complete attack" was ongoing.

Amid tensions, Zelensky has re-introduced military law across the country, adding that he had spoken by telephone with US President Joe Biden.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has called on his people to "fight for the country" as Russia launches a series of deadly attacks on several cities.

In a televised address to the nation, Zelenskyy called the attack "an attack" and called on the people to support the military in ending the Russian military offensive.

"Today, Russia has begun attacking Ukraine. Putin started the war against Ukraine, against the rest of the democratic world. You want to destroy my country. He wants to destroy our country, everything we have built, that we live by. I am speaking to all Ukrainian people and Ukrainian soldiers who have taken the first enemy strike and are politely chasing it, ”said Zelenskyy.

“We know the strength of the Ukrainian army. You are brave, you are not broken, you are Ukrainian. I am talking to every Ukrainian who lives in the country of Ukraine. Let's not panic. Let us do everything we can to support the Ukrainian armed forces. I speak to all Ukrainian people who are currently abroad. We need your support too. He is a great power. You are a united army and you have proved it many times before. We really need you now, ”said the president of Ukraine.

The president said he had spoken to world leaders and supported Ukraine.

Zelensky also announced that Ukraine had severed ties with Russia, adding that "it will not relinquish its independence no matter what Moscow thinks."

"We have severed ties with Russia. For all those who have not yet lost their conscience in Russia, it is time for them to go out and protest against Ukraine," he said.

U.S. President Joe Biden has promised new sanctions to punish Russia for the violence the international community has been waiting for weeks but has not been able to stop it with talks.

Putin apologized to the media, saying the attack was necessary to protect the citizens of eastern Ukraine from "the false claim the US had made as an excuse to attack".

The White House issued a statement following a call from Biden and the President of Ukraine. It read: "President Zelenskyy came to me tonight and we just finished talking. I have condemned this senseless and unjust attack on Russian troops."

"I have informed him of the steps we are taking to criticize the international community, including tonight at the UN Security Council.

"Tomorrow, I will be meeting with G7 leaders, and the United States and our allies and our allies will impose severe sanctions on Russia. We will continue to support and help Ukraine and the people of Ukraine," he added.

Cities attacked by Russia

According to Ukrainian officials, Russia launched cruise and ballistic missiles at airfields and military headquarters near the country's capital, Kiev.

According to Ukrainian officials, in the south, Russian troops landed in Odessa and according to Ukrainian officials, in eastern Ukraine, Russian missiles hit targets in Kharkiv and Dnipro, and a loud boom was reported in Krematoresk.

Ukraine's state emergency services said attacks had been launched against 10 Ukrainian territories, mainly in the east and south of the country. The statement said several planes were targeted at the airports.

Ukraine's envoy Igor Polikha today "prayed" for India's intervention in the conflict with Russia that began this morning, saying India's "strong voice" could "think" Russian President Vladimir Putin. While the envoy praised PM Modi and the country's status as a "strong global leader". There were also words of strong criticism for the foreign ministry's stance, which ended with him saying he was "deeply dissatisfied".

He said, "We are expecting a more favorable attitude of the Government of India in this crisis situation. This is a moment of truth. Moment of fate... We are waiting, pleading for India's aid." "

Prime Minister Narendra Modi is "one of the most powerful, respected world leaders. I don't know how many words Putin can hear. But Modi-ji's position makes me hope that in terms of his strong voice, Putin will at least think Needed".

Moscow does not want Russians against engaging in anti-war demonstrations, The Kremlin has warned Russians against participating in anti-war protests after President Vladimir Putin decided to launch a full-scale military strike on Ukraine.