Russia Unleashes War Against Ukraine (Online)
- 24.02.2022, 6:30
(This is a developing story, more to come) The Belarusian military men are also participating in the aggression.
At about 6 am Minsk time, Russian aggression against Ukraine began. Russia launched missile strikes on airports, military depots, and other strategic targets.
The blows were delivered also from the territory of Belarus. The Russian equipment crossed the border. The Ukrainian military are giving the invaders a rebuff.
The website Charter97.org covered today’s events live:
Ukraine 24 TV channel, special broadcast
14:22 The address of Ukraine’s Defense Minister:
“Everyone who is ready to hold weapons, join the ranks of the Territorial Defense Forces of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
We have simplified all procedures. Take only your passport. Only the passport. We give weapons to all patriots who are ready without hesitation to use it against the enemy! Keep tranquility! Hold the line! Believe in the AFU! Glory to united Ukraine!
14:21 The destroyed tank of the occupants near Kharkiv. Attention, 18+ video.
14:19 Coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign Dzmitry Bandarenka:
“It can be unequivocally said that Lukashenka has turned into Motorola, into this already deceased gangster leader. The situation is wild, from the Belarusian territory strikes are being made on Ukraine. This is confirmed by the military and border guards of Ukraine. Vehicles entered, unmarked helicopters. And the kolkhoz boss (I mean Lukashenka) is still silent and pretends to be an innocent lamb.
The situation is really terrible, millions of Belarusians have become hostages of two dictators. Because it is clear that if it were not for Putin, then Lukashenka would not have stayed in power in 2020. And it is understandable why Belarusian organizations were destroyed with such bestial cruelty and Belarusian leaders, as well as thousands of Belarusian patriots, were thrown into prison. But Lukashenka is facing the fate of Motorola, Givi and other war criminals.”
14:15 Russian tanks near Kharkiv were destroyed by 18-year-old conscripts of the National Guard of Ukraine.
Oleksiy Arestovych, Advisor to the Office of the President, spoke about this at a briefing:
“Near Kharkiv, fighting is going on 4-5 km from the city limits on the north side. Conscripts of the National Guard of Ukraine, soldiers who have not studied the conduct of combined arms combat and are 18-year-old guys, knocked out four tanks of the Armed Forces of the Russian Federation. Which is generally a feat by military standards.
14:12 A battle with 20 aggressor helicopters in underway over Hostomel, which is located near Kyiv.
14:09 The Russian occupiers went to break through the Kyiv region from the territory of Belarus. The Belarusian dictator takes an active part in the aggression of the Russian Federation.
14:02 The first Russian soldiers taken prisoner.
13:58 A video of the destruction of the occupants' helicopter has appeared.
13:51 Another helicopter of the invaders goes to the landfill!
13:49 The General Staff of Ukraine reports that a plane of the RF Armed Forces was shot down over the Luhansk region. This is the seventh aircraft shot down by Ukrainian air defense units.
13:45 Here is NATO’s urgent statement on the situation in Ukraine:
— The North Atlantic Alliance called Russia's actions threatening Euro-Atlantic security;
— NATO is deploying additional defensive ground and air forces in the eastern part of the alliance;
— The North Atlantic Council strongly condemns the Russian military operation in Ukraine;
— Increase the readiness of forces to respond to all unforeseen circumstances.
13:39 A powerful video of Ukrainian soldiers who are on the front line has appeared.
13:30 Leader of the workers Siarhei Dyleuski addressed Belarusians:
“Guys, friends, comrades-in-arms, I urge everyone to fight Lukashists and Putin's nits. I call on everyone who is currently at work to stop working, to demand a complete cessation of hostilities on the territory of Ukraine. Because this war has already touched us. Because this war was started with the consent of the same Lukashenka. The troops were brought in from the territory of the Republic of Belarus. This means that an invader has come from the territory of Belarus and the Ukrainians can fight back. Lukashenka dragged us into the war. And we cannot deny this.
I call on all caring citizens: stop being silent. We have been silent for too long. Now it’s time to start fighting.
Long Live Belarus! Glory to Ukraine!”
13:27 In the near future, the European Parliament will consider a proposal to nullify all valid Russian visas.
13:22 Oleksiy Arestovych: The second wave of Russian air strikes against Ukraine has begun, but it will not be worse than it was in the morning.
13:18 Russia strikes with cruise missiles at a military facility in Brovary (near Kyiv). This was announced by the adviser to the head of the MFA Anton Herashchenko.
13:14 Advisor to the Office of the President of Ukraine Arestovych about the battles on the front line: We fought them very well there.
13:11 Ukrainian troops shot down the seventh Russian plane. The attack on Zmiyiny Island was repulsed.
13:10 Czech President Zeman, who was often accused of being pro-Russian, called to disconnect Russia from SWIFT.
13:00 Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces of Ukraine Zaluzhny: Fighting is underway in the Kherson direction.
12:58 A video of the destruction of the Russian Su-24 bomber has appeared.
12:51 Ukraine has closed all border crossings on the border with Belarus.
12:46 Adviser to the head of the Office of the President of Ukraine Oleksiy Arestovich at a press briefing told how Ukrainians are repelling attacks from the Belarusian direction:
“The Belarusian direction: there were separate detachments of 2-3 tanks, 2-3 infantry fighting vehicles, 50 military personnel who were trying to enter our territory — they met a rebuff and retreated immediately. That is, this is an entrance-exit, we cannot say that they are advancing, the military forces are monitoring the situation there. Now the line of defense is being deployed.
12:44 Photo of the results of shelling by Russian troops of the city of Chohuev in the Kharkiv region.
12:38 The Ukrainian military repelled attacks from the Belarusian direction. Heavy fighting is going on in the Kharkiv direction.
Mariupol and Schyastya remain under the control of Ukraine.
12:34 Volodymyr Zelensky addressed the Ukrainians. Here are the main theses:
— Ukraine breaks diplomatic relations with Russia;
— Russia vilely attacked in the morning, as Nazi Germany did;
— Ukraine is already giving out weapons and will be giving more to defend the land;
— He called on the Russians to go to anti-war rallies.
12:30 Recruitment to the Belarus Tactical Group has been announced.
Taking into account that the dictator of the Russian Federation has unleashed a war against Ukraine, the Supraciu movement is starting to deploy the Belarus Tactical Group.
This is also reported by the Busly Liaciac Telegram channel:
The unit will carry out tasks to counter the aggression of the Russian Federation together with Ukrainian volunteers in the operational subordination of the command of the Armed Forces of Ukraine.
12:25 Ukrainian soldiers on the front line addressed the Russian occupiers:
“We will fight to the last bullet, and when they run out, we will fight with our bare hands, we will fight on the ground and on the water, and under the ground, and in the sky! None of you will return from here alive. You will all die, and our country will be prosperous and free. Glory to Ukraine!”
12:20 Destroyed Russian tanks near Kharkiv. The invaders are receiving a worthy rebuff.
12:18 Ukrainian diplomat, foreign and security policy expert of the Maidan of Foreign Affairs Foundation, former adviser to the Ukrainian Embassy in Canada and Kenya Oleh Bilokolos told Charter97.org what is happening in Ukraine now:
“Everything is more or less calm in Kyiv now. There are queues at ATMs, in supermarkets people try to take groceries for a couple of days in advance. But everything works, there is no panic. Troops adequately beat off attacks.
From the civilized world we expect not only condemnation. It is clear that missiles cannot be stopped by sanctions. We expect effective support from the whole world. First of all, help our armed forces. We hope that friends will help us protect our skies. This is the most pressing right now.
There are no reports of active actions from Belarus yet. But given the recent adoption of a joint doctrine, the threat to Ukraine's national security exists from this direction, and it is also high.
12:10 AFU soldier: Mariupol is under the control of the Ukrainian army. Don't believe fakes.
12:04 Shocking photos of the victims of the shelling of the Russian occupiers.
12:01 A shell exploded in the center of the city of Uman. Attention, video 18+
11:57 Russia is shelling Ukraine from the territory of Transnistria. The Belarusian territory is also used for aggression against Ukraine.
11:56 The State Border Service of Ukraine reports that “two unidentified targets” have approached Zmeyiny Island. The border guards are on the defensive.
11:51 Lithuania and Moldova declared a state of emergency due to the Russian aggression against Ukraine.
11:39 The Ukrainian army destroyed four tanks of invaders near Kharkiv.
11:36 From the side of Belarus, an unmarked helicopter fired at the bridge in front of the Slavutych checkpoint
This was reported by the State Border Service of Ukraine.
11:33 Ukrainian diplomat and politician, former Ukrainian ambassador to Minsk Roman Bessmertny commented on Russia's aggression against Ukraine in a comment to Charter97.org:
“Almost along the entire perimeter of the border, at the crossings, there are battles. There are fights on the front line, there are fights on the eastern border, there are fights on the border with Belarus, in the Chernihiv region. Virtually everywhere, Ukrainian troops are holding back an attack.
In the area of the front line: 5 planes, two tanks, one helo have already been shot down.
As for the night shelling: the air defense system is working, it shoots down drones and missiles over Kyiv, Dnipro, Kharkiv. Some hit the target. Airfields, air defense systems, military units, and army bases are being shelled. But the personnel of the units were brought to combat positions. Mostly communications, buildings are hit, but not everywhere.
Subversive groups are working in some cities; it is clear that they are blowing up ammunition depots. It can be seen that signalmen, sabotage groups are working. But so far, the army and air defense systems are coping with the situation.
The Verkhovna Rada decided to introduce martial law. At the moment, classes are suspended in schools and universities, they work online. During the pandemic, people have learned this.
Now the air attacks have subsided, it’s getting more or less calmly. But I say it again, there are fights practically along the entire perimeter. Now it is important for the media to look at the sources when submitting news, because there is a lot of unreliable information.”
11:26 The Ukrainian army has reported that the sixth Russian aircraft was destroyed near Kramatorsk.
11:11 The invasion of the Russian troops into Ukraine. Infographic from the BBC.
11:05 Ukrainian border guards report that the Russian tanks, invading the settlements of the Luhansk region, put cars with OSCE symbols in front of their military equipment.
11:00 Ukrainian military man from the battlefield: The enemy is suffering losses.
10:56 Official information from the State Border Service of Ukraine:
In the area of the settlements of Kopani and Ivanovo, Kherson region, Ukrainian servicemen are fighting with the enemy.
In the Skadovsk region, the border commandant's office of rapid reaction is being fired at from helicopters.
10:55 The State Border Service of Ukraine showed the consequences of the shelling of one of its facilities in the Kyiv region.
10:50 Ukraine closed the Vilcha checkpoint on the border with Belarus, the State Border Committee of Belarus reports.
10:49 An explosion in the warehouses with supplies in Kalynovka, Vinnytsia region.
10:38 The Ukrainian army recaptured the city of Schastya in the Donetsk region. Enemy equipment and more than 50 invaders were destroyed.
10:36 Editor-in-Chief of the Vladometr and Historical Truth projects, Ukrainian journalist Vakhtang Kipiani, commented for the Charter97.org website on the situation in Kyiv after the start of the Russian aggression:
“There is a very powerful mobilization of society in support of independence, sovereignty, and the armed forces. Very powerful. A huge number of people are already in the military enlistment offices or waiting outside them. Volunteer organizations and foundations that support specific military units receive more support.
If we talk about Kyiv, where I am now, money can be withdrawn from ATMs, there are groceries in stores.
This morning's events brought everyone into the right tone. And even if someone leaves by car, people say: “Well, I'm taking away the kids and then I'm coming back”. We can say that it is calm in Kyiv.
Yes, there have been some unclear pats. They explained to us that it was our air defense forces that were shooting down drones and repelling attacks from the air. There have been attempts to attack some infrastructure facilities, but at the moment there is no damage, no deaths.
We now have such an attitude: not to spread fakes, but to distribute reliable information from the Ministry of Defense and the authorities responsible for what they are doing.
Of course, there is an understanding that an attack on Ukraine from the territory of Belarus is not only unfriendly, it is a criminal act. And the Belarusian elites, starting with Lukashenka and ending with the military, will be punished for this. Or according to the laws of war, or in some other order. Of course, no one will forgive them for this.
We understand that Belarusians live in a semi-fascist regime, but we expect them to find the strength to help us in various ways. For example, information about the movement of the Russian and Belarusian troops. There is no need for everyone there to throw a grenade in front of a Russian tank, but you can report to the media you trust the movement of the Russian and Belarusian occupation corps.
I think it's a matter of honor. Even if this does not happen, then I think that the attitude towards Belarusians will be the same as towards the Russians — contemptuous.
The whole civilized world is already helping us.
10:27 Meanwhile, columns of equipment of Lukashenka's troops are moving towards the border with Ukraine. A video from the Brest region.
10:21 The first information about the dead in Brovary, Mariupol, Odesa and Mykolaiv regions of Ukraine has appeared.
10:17 Ukrainian journalist Dmytro Hordon: We will not give our homeland to anyone!
10:15 Meanwhile, the Belarusian ruble began to fall after the Russian one. Photo by Charter97.org readers.
10:10 The Ochakiv port is on fire.
10:05 The Border Service of Ukraine has published a video of the entry of Russian troops from the Crimea. The invaders also attacked Ukrainian border guards using artillery, heavy equipment and small arms in the Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions.
10:01 This is a residential building in Kharkiv after the shelling by the Russian troops.
9:55 Zelensky has ordered to strike back and inflict maximum damage on the invaders.
9:46 A strike on the airport in Ivano-Frankivsk was caught on video.
9:44 Editor-in-Chief of the Charter97.org website Natallia Radzina has appealed to the Belarusian officers:
“Putin and Lukashenka are international criminals. The Belarusian military men who followed their orders today and attacked our fraternal Ukraine are military criminals.
If among the Belarusian military there still are officers and people with honor — do the right thing, as your conscience tells you. You know what to do. There will probably be no second chance for you.”
9:37 Ukrainian journalist, Editor-in-Chief of the censor.net website Yuriy Butusov commented to the website Charter97.org on the beginning of Russia's aggression against Ukraine:
“There is an attack from all sides. Russia is attacking our borders. All the words had already been spoken before the start of hostilities. Therefore, we are now waiting for their implementation, realization.
Russia, a nuclear power, unleashed a war in Europe in defiance of all norms of international law and the protests of the civilized world. This has not happened before. Naturally, we are counting on sanctions that will simply exclude Russia from the civilized world, from the society of civilized states.
This is a complete break in trade, a full blockade of the movement of citizens, a break in all contacts. And that's the only way to stop it. Moreover, both in relation to Russia and in relation to the Belarusian regime, which is an accomplice in the aggression against Ukraine.
9:31 AFU reports two Russian tanks destroyed in the Shchastya area in the Donbas. The invaders are being rebuffed.
9:27 Biden spoke with Zelensky and promised to impose tough sanctions against Russia. The President of Ukraine appealed to world leaders to create an anti-Putin coalition.
9:24 Explosions in Mirgorod, Poltava region
9:22 The map of Ukrainian cities attacked by Russia
9:19 This is the checkpoint on the border of the Kharkiv region of Ukraine and Russia.
9:13 The Ukrainian Rada voted for martial law throughout the country.
The speaker of the Ukrainian parliament Stefanchuk forbade the deputies to leave Kyiv: “Whoever leaves is a traitor”.
9:10 The Western leaders react to Putin's attack on Ukraine:
US President Joe Biden: President Putin deliberately chose a war that will lead to catastrophic losses and human suffering.
Only Russia will be to blame for the destruction and death that this attack will bring. The US and its allies will respond in a united and decisive way.
The world will call Russia to account.
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson: President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine.
The UK and our allies will respond decisively.
9:04 The Ukrainian military reports that five Russian planes and a helicopter have already been shot down. The occupiers are suffering losses.
9:02 The Ministry of Emergency Situations of Ukraine reports on the consequences of the Russian shelling:
• In a military unit in the village of Starokonstyantynov, a fuel depot is on fire.
• In the cities of Krasnopolye and Marhanets, Dnipropetrovsk region, there are fires in the military depots.
• In the city of Tulchyn and the village of Bokhan in the Vynnitsa region, military units are on fire.
• A television tower was blasted in Lutsk.
• A military unit near the city of Brovary, Kyiv region, is on fire.
9:00 Defense Minister Oleksiy Reznikov addressed the Ukrainians. He urged citizens to remain calm, the Ukrainian army is on the defensive and repelling the Russian troops.
8:57 The Ukrainian air defense is responding to air attacks.
8:52 The Ukrainian military reported that they had shot down a Russian Su.
“The enemy is suffering losses. Hold on!” they said at the headquarters of the Joint Forces Operation.
8:49 One of the leaders of the Belarusian opposition, coordinator of the European Belarus civil campaign, presidential candidate in the 2010 elections Andrei Sannikov supported the people of Ukraine:
“Tonight, Russia crossed the line of fate and launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. The entire responsibility for this crazy decision lies with Putin. No one should have any doubts: a terrible crime against humanity has been committed. Russia launched an aggressive war against Ukraine, fraught with huge casualties, including among the civilian population.
In this difficult time, I would like to express the unconditional support of Belarusians to the people and government of Ukraine. The world is on your side, you will definitely defeat the aggressor and defend your right to freedom and independence.”
Glory to Ukraine!
Long Live Belarus!
8:47 CNN showed a video of tanks crossing the Belarusian-Ukrainian border.
8:41 A Russian drone was shot down over Kyiv.
8:36 The state border of Ukraine was attacked by Russian troops from the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus. This is an official statement of the Ukrainian border service.
8:33 Editor-in-Chief of the Charter97.org website, Belarusian journalist Natallia Radzina addressed the Ukrainians in connection with the Russian aggression:
“Ukrainian brothers and sisters, we are with you!
In these difficult times of the war, Belarusians are on your side. We are confident that victory will be yours.
War leaves no choices. We are ready to help you with all our might. We will fight together for our countries, for freedom, for life.
And let Putin and Lukashenka be damned.
Glory to Ukraine! Long Live Belarus!”
8:29 What happened in the Ukrainian cities this morning
Kyiv
The sounds of explosions were heard by residents of the capital at night. They are mostly reported by residents of the Left Bank. Explosions are heard in Vynohradar, Solomenskiy district, and in Pechersk.
Kharkiv
Explosions have also been reported by residents of Kharkiv. According to them, water has disappeared in some areas. It is not yet known whether this is related to the explosions. The explosions sounded at around 5 am.
Boryspil
Boryspil reports that explosions are being heard both in the city and in the airport area.
Dnipro
In Dnipro, citizens report the sounds of gunshots around 5:30 am.
Odesa
In Odesa, powerful explosions were also reported around 5:00 and 5:10 am.
Mariupol
Residents of Mariupol report large-scale explosions and blazes.
Chernihiv region
Residents of the border region with Belarus report powerful explosions. In particular, near the Belarusian border from Chernobyl.
Sumy region
Residents of the city of Burynya, Sumy region, report that they hear gunshots.
8:14 Explosions in Ukrainian cities.