Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, forcing residents to flee for their lives and leaving at least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and 10 civilians dead.
Russian air strikes hit military facilities across the country and ground forces moved in from the north, south and east, triggering condemnation from Western leaders and warnings of massive sanctions.
The following are photos from across Moscow, Kyiv and other affected regions following the launch of Putin’s “special military operation” in Ukraine:
A Ukrainian serviceman rides atop a military vehicle past Independence square in central Kyiv on February 24, 2022. AFP
A family takes shelter in a metro station in Kyiv in the morning of February 24, 2022. AFP
This photograph taken on February 23, 2022 shows the Ukrainian the flag fluttering above the dome of the parliament in Kyiv. AFP
Ukrainian military vehicles move past Independence square in central Kyiv on February 24, 2022. AFP
Smoke rises from a power plant after shelling outside the town of Schastia, near the eastern Ukraine city of Lugansk, on February 22, 2022, a day after Russia recognized east Ukraine’s separatist republics and ordered the Russian army to send troops there as “peacekeepers.” AFP
Residents collect water from a well in the town of Schastia, near the eastern Ukraine city of Lugansk, on February 23, 2022, after the town’s pump stations were knocked out of power by shelling. AFP
A religious woman holds a cross as she prays on Independence square in Kyiv in the morning of February 24, 2022. AFP
A placard featuring an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading “We are with him for the sovereignty of Russia! And you?” is seen left in front of the Russian State Duma building in central Moscow on February 24, 2022. AFP
A woman holding a placard reading “No to war with Ukraine” stages a picket in Moscow on February 23, 2022. AFP
A military cargo truck is pictured in central Kyiv in the morning on February 24, 2022.
Air raid sirens rang out in downtown Kyiv today as cities across Ukraine were hit with what Ukrainian officials said were Russian missile strikes and artillery. AFP
Police and security personnel inspect gather by the remains of a shell landed in a street in Kyiv on February 24, 2022. AFP
Police and security personnel inspect the remains of a shell in a street in Kyiv on February 24, 2022. AFP
People, some carrying bags and suitcases, walk at a metro station in Kyiv early on February 24, 2022. AFP
An injured man stands by a vehicle of an Emmergency unit to receive medical assistance after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said. AFP
Russian honor guards attend the changing of guards ceremony at the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier by the Kremlin Wall in downtown Moscow on February 24, 2022. AFP
Firefighters work on a fire in a building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said. AFP
Firefighters work on a fire on a building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said. AFP
Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuguyev near Kharkiv on February 24, 2022. AFP
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