On February 24, Russia has begun military operations inside the territory of Ukraine. Multiple explosions were heard around Kyiv, Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Odessa, and other areas in Ukraine. The explosions were reported after 5 am local time. Gunfire and explosions were also reported near Boryspil airport (KBP). There were no immediate reports of any casualties. Ukrainian officials claimed that military headquarters, military warehouses, and airports were among the locations that were targeted by Russian missiles in Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Dnipro. Minister Gerashchenko issued the statement at around 5:45 am local time. The Mayor of Kyiv called on the people to stay inside their homes.

The aviation authorities reportedly issued a notice closing the Ukrainian airspace. The Notice to Air Mission (NOTAM) will cover all 5 of Ukraine’s flight information regions (FIRS) — Kyiv, Dnipro, Lviv, Odesa, and Simferopol. Earlier, on February 23, the Kharkiv International Airport (HRK), Dnipro International Airport (DNK), and Zaporizhia International Airport (OZH) were closed.  The European Organisation for the Safety of Air Navigation (Eurocontrol) issued an alert warning all airlines and civilian flights to stay away from Ukrainian airspace.

Latest updates

• – President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, has announced the introduction of martial law in the country;
• – Ukraine issued a statement claiming that the armed forces had shot down 5 Russian military aircraft and 1 military helicopter in Donbas. There were no immediate reports of any casualties;
• – Russian troops reportedly made an amphibious landing in Odessa. The reports of Russian troops landing in Odesa have, however, been denied by the Ukrainian armed forces. Meanwhile, power outages were also reported in parts of Odessa. Elsewhere, Russian troops have also reportedly entered Mariupol’, Donetsk;

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