Summary:
- Ukrainian forces downed an enemy aircraft over Kyiv, which then crashed into a residential building and set it on fire, an adviser to the interior minister says.
- The EU will freeze Russian assets in the bloc and halt its banks’ access to European financial markets.
- Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed so far.
- Zelenskyy signs decree on the general mobilisation of the population.
- Russian soldiers are advancing in the direction of Ukraine’s capital, Kyiv, a US official says, as Moscow continues to flow troops into the country.
- The UN refugee agency says an estimated 100,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes.
As Russia launched a full-scale military attack on Ukraine from the north, east and south, many of the capital’s residents took shelter deep underground in metro stations.
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Ukraine president said 137 civilians and military personnel have been killed and 316 people have been wounded in the country on the first day of Russian invasion and the president called them “heroes” in a video address.
“They’re killing people and turning peaceful cities into military targets. It’s foul and will never be forgiven,” Zelenskyy said, referring to Russian forces.
However, Kyiv Mayor Vitali Klitschko have asked its three million people of the city to stay indoors unless with necessities such as medicine and documents.
Meanwhile, the UN refugee agency said an estimated 100,000 Ukrainians have fled their homes and that several thousand have crossed into neighbouring countries, mainly Romania and Moldova and the agency have urged neighbouring countries to keep their borders open for Ukrainians fleeing the fighting.
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy also said sanctions imposed on Moscow by the West were not enough.
“World was continuing to observe what was going on in Ukraine from afar,” he added.
Ukraine said it lost control of the Chernobyl nuclear site after Ukrainian forces waged a fierce battle with Russian troops. A nuclear reactor at the plant 130km (81 miles) north of Kyiv exploded in April 1986, sending a radioactive cloud across Europe. The damaged reactor was later covered by a protective shell.
Moreover, the Ukraine central bank banned payments to entities in Russia and Belarus as well as operations involving both nations’ currencies, the regulator has said.
The United States and Albania has called for a UN Security Council vote on Friday at 20:00 GMT on a draft resolution condemning Russia’s invasion of Ukraine and demanding Moscow withdraw its troops, diplomatic sources have said.
The head of the International Committee of the Red Cross (ICRC) has warned Russia’s invasion of Ukraine could unleash death and destruction on a scale that is “frightening to contemplate”.
“I fear increased suffering, with the potential of massive casualty numbers and extensive destruction of civilian objects like water and electricity plants, as well as mass displacement, trauma, family separation, and missing persons,” Peter Maurer said in a statement.
US House of Representatives Speaker Nancy Pelosi has said lawmakers want to provide Ukraine with $600m for “lethal defence weapons” to battle Russia’s unfolding attack.
Ukraine’s ambassador to Japan has said his nation needs more anti-aircraft munitions to defend against Russian missiles.
What does Russia say?
In a televised address as the attack began, Russian President Vladimir Putin said it was needed to protect civilians in eastern Ukraine, where Ukrainian forces and Russia-backed separatists have been fighting for almost eight years.
The Russian leader warned other countries that any attempt to interfere in Ukraine would “lead to consequences you have never seen in history”.
Putin accused the US and its allies of ignoring Russia’s demands to block Ukraine from ever joining NATO and offer Moscow security guarantees.
Putin said Russia does not intend to occupy Ukraine but plans to “demilitarise” it, a euphemism for destroying its armed forces. He urged Ukrainian servicemen to “immediately put down arms and go home”.
Soon after his address, explosions were heard in the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa. The Russian Defence Ministry said it had destroyed 83 Ukrainian military facilities.
What is West Doing?
Nato has put warplanes on alert but the Western alliance has made clear there are no plans to send combat troops to Ukraine itself. Instead they have offered advisers, weapons and field hospitals.
Meanwhile, 5,000 Nato troops have been deployed in the Baltic states and Poland. Another 4,000 could be sent to Romania, Bulgaria, Hungary and Slovakia.
Instead, the West is targeting Russia’s economy, industry and individuals.
The EU has promised to restrict Russian access to capital markets and cut off its industry from latest technology. It has already imposed sanctions on 351 MPs who backed Russia’s recognition of the rebel-held regions Germany has halted approval on Russia’s Nord Stream 2 gas pipeline, a major investment by both Russia and European companies.
The US says it will cut off Russia’s government from Western financial institutions and target high-ranking "elites" The UK says all major Russian banks would have their assets frozen, with 100 individuals and entities targeted; and Russia’s national airline Aeroflot will also be banned from landing in the UK.
Ukraine has urged its allies to stop buying Russian oil and gas.
The three Baltic states have called on the whole international community to disconnect Russia’s banking system from the international Swift payment system. That could badly impact the US and European economies.
The Russian city of St Petersburg will no longer be able to host this year’s Champions League final for security reasons. Europe’s football governing body Uefa is also planning further measures.
