Explosions heard in Kyiv as Russian forces continue assault in Ukraine
Posted February 24, 2022 10:12 pm.
Last Updated February 24, 2022 10:25 pm.
Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv as Russian forces pressed on with a full-scale invasion that resulted in the deaths of more than 100 Ukrainians in the first full day of fighting.
An adviser to Ukraine’s government said Kyiv was targeted with ballistic missiles as Associated Press reporters heard several blasts in different parts of the city.
The nature of the explosions was not immediately clear, but the blasts came amid signs that the capital and largest Ukrainian city was increasingly threatened following a day of fighting that left more than 100 Ukrainians dead.
After using airstrikes on cities and military bases, Russian military units moved swiftly to take on Ukraine’s seat of government and its largest city. U.S. officials suspect it is a brazen attempt by Russian President Vladimir Putin to dismantle the government and replace it with his own regime.
Ukrainian leaders pleaded for help as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee, and hotels in Kyiv were being evacuated amid early indications of an assault.
WATCH: Another video shows the moment an unknown object is shot down over Kyiv https://t.co/HiM9gSSTKC
— BNO News (@BNONews) February 25, 2022
A #Russian aircraft shot down by #Ukrainian air defenses falls on residential areas in #Kyiv. pic.twitter.com/kNR9yFwSGv
— NEXTA (@nexta_tv) February 25, 2022
Ukraine’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Dmytro Kuleba, confirmed that Kyiv was hit with rocket strikes.
“Last time our capital experienced anything like this was in 1941 when it was attacked by Nazi Germany,” Kuleba tweeted.
“Ukraine defeated that evil and will defeat this one. Stop Putin. Isolate Russia. Sever all ties. Kick Russia out of everywhere.”
Already, Ukraine officials said they had lost control of the decommissioned Chernobyl nuclear power plant, the scene of the world’s worst nuclear disaster.
U.S. President Joe Biden announced new sanctions against Russia, saying Putin “chose this war” and had exhibited a “sinister” view of the world in which nations take what they want by force.
In a televised address as the attack began, 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.
World stock markets plunged and oil prices soared over concerns that heating bills and food prices would skyrocket.
