Live updates: Russia's war on Ukraine threatens capital Kyiv

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Two explosions were heard in Ukraine's capital Kyiv early on Friday, according to the Interfax-Ukraine news agency.

"Attacks on Kyiv with cruise and ballistic missiles have just resumed. I heard two powerful explosions," Ukrainian interior ministry advisor Anton Herashchenko said on Telegram.

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine, as the country launched an unprovoked offensive early on Thursday.

The UN refugee agency said around 100,000 people have fled their homes within the country since the Russian invasion began.

Ukraine's president Volodymyr Zelensky said on Friday that his country has "been left alone to defend our state" in a video address to his nation, AFP reported.

"Who is ready to give Ukraine a guarantee of NATO membership? Everyone is afraid," he added, saying the Russian invasion of his country on Thursday killed at least 130 Ukrainians.

The president added that he and his family remained in Ukraine, despite Russia identifying him as "target number one".

The UN refugee agency said around 100,000 people have fled their homes within the country - becoming internally displaced - since the Russian invasion started.

Japan will strengthen sanctions against Russia, Prime Minister Fumio Kishida said on Friday.

The sanctions will include financial institutions and military equipment exports, according to Reuters.

Kishida's move came after the West imposed new sanctions on Russia following their invasion of Ukraine on Tuesday.

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Russian "sabbotage groups" are currently in Ukraine's capital Kyiv, according to Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensk.

The president warned his nation on Friday about the groups as he urged residents to stay aware and observe curfew rules, AFP reported.

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning.

Bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities have led to at least 100,000 displaced civilians across the country, according to the UN.

Three Russian banks have shrugged off the impact of US sanctions on Moscow, following their country's invasion of Ukraine, Reuters reported.

Russia's central bank said it would support banks affected by the sanctions.

US President Joe Biden unveiled sanctions against Moscow to impede the country's ability to do business in the world's major currencies.

To find out more about these sanctions click here.

To understand more about the Russian bank's responses click here.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky on Thursday ordered a full military mobilisation following a Russian invasion of his country, AFP reported.

Conscripts and reservists in all regions will be called up, according to the decree published by the Ukrainian presidency.

Thousands of Ukrainians have already fled into neighbouring countries and around 100,000 have fled their homes since the announcement of the invasion on Thursday.

For more on this story click here.

Russian authorities have detained around 1,702 people at anti-war protests across Russia, following the country's invasion of Ukraine, AP reported.

Authorities detained protesters across 53 cities and at least 940 of the arrests occurred in Moscow.

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine, as the country launched an unprovoked offensive early on Thursday.

The UN refugee agency said around 100,000 people have fled their homes within the country since.

For more on this story click here.

Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy says 137 are dead after the first day of fighting in Ukraine following Russia's invasion of the country, according to AFP.

This comes after Reuters reported a US defence official as saying Russia launched over 160 missiles during their onslaught of their neighbouring country.

Moscow launched an unprovoked offensive on Kyiv early Thursday morning, as the UN refugee agency said around 100,000 people have fled their homes within the country since.

Russian President Vladimir Putin held a "frank" phone conversation with French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday following Moscow's invasion of Ukraine, according to the Kremlin.

The leaders had a "serious and frank exchange of views" about Kyiv and Putin gave an "exhaustive explanation of the reasons and circumstances behind the decision to conduct a special military operation" there, it said in a statement.

The Elysee Palace said Macron called Putin to demand an end to Moscow's offensive in Ukraine.

This was the first known contact between Putin and a Western leader since the Russian invasion.

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning, the UN refugee agency have said around 100,000 people have fled their homes since the invasion.

For more on this story click here.

Moscow has launched over 160 missiles during Russias onslaught of Ukraine, Reuters reported a US defence official as saying.

The Russian forces have also reportedly advanced closer to Ukraine's capital Kyiv as Moscow has continued to send troops into the country, the official said.

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning, launching a blitzkrieg strike toward Ukraine's capital.

The bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities have come at a devastating cost for civilians, as the UN refugee agency said around 100,000 people have fled their homes within the country.

Ukraine on Thursday asked the UN Human Rights Council to hold an urgent debate on human rights in Ukraine "stemming from the Russian aggression", the United Nations said.

The President of the Human Rights Council received a letter from Ukraine's ambassador to the UN office in Geneva, requesting the debate "as urgently as possible".

The council's bureau will reportedly meet to discuss Ukraine's request on Friday, as the human rights body's 47 member states will have to decide whether or not to hold the debate.

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EU leaders have agreed to impose 'massive and severe' sanctions on Russia following its invasion of Ukraine.

The leaders plan to target key sectors of Russia's economy.

"These sanctions cover the financial sector, the energy and transport sectors, dual-use goods as well as export control and export financing, visa policy, additional listings of Russian individuals and new listing criteria," the summit conclusions said.

US President Joe Biden also unveiled sanctions against Russia - to impede the country's ability to do business in the world's major currencies - on Thursday.

The United Nations and Red Cross have said civilians and critical infrastructure must be protected from attacks in Ukraine after Russia's unprovoked invasion of the country, according to Reuters.

The United Nations High Commissioner for Human Rights Michelle Bachelet said protecting Ukraine's civilian population was a priority as she stated that Russia's latest move is a violation of international law.

Thousands of Ukrainians have already crossed into neighbouring countries and around 100,000 have fled their homes following the invasion, ordered by Russian President Vladimir Putin.

Read the full story here.

Social media platform Facebook is letting users in Ukraine lock their social profiles for security.

Meta Platforms Inc, which owns the infamous site, launched the feature following Moscow's unprovoked invasion of Kyiv, according to a company official's Twitter posts on Thursday.

The technology company has also set up a special operations centre to monitor the conflict in Ukraine.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced on Thursday morning a Russian invasion of Ukraine after weeks of tensions.

The bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities since have come at a devastating cost for civilians, as thousands have attempted to flee the capital.

President Joe Biden has unveiled harsh new sanctions against Russia on Thursday after Moscow launched an all-out invasion of Ukraine.

The sanctions - designed to have a long term impact on Moscow - will impose measures to impede Russia's ability to do business in the world's major currencies along with sanctions against banks and state-owned enterprises.

Biden said the sanctions would limit Russia's ability to do business in dollars, euros, pounds and yen, and that the US is prepared to do more.

"This is a premeditated attack... Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences," Biden told reporters at the White House.

Russia's Vladimir Putin will become "a pariah on the international stage" following his country's invasion of Ukraine,  the US President said while revealing he had "no plans" to talk with his counterpart.

Biden said NATO would meet on Friday to map out further measures.

US President Joe Biden vowed on Thursday to defend "every inch" of NATO territory after Russia sent forces into Ukraine, but reaffirmed that no American troops would be deployed to Washington's ally.

"As I made crystal clear, the United States will defend every inch of NATO territory with a full force of American power" Biden said in an address to the nation from the White House.

The president added, however: "Our forces will not be engaged in a conflict with Russia in Ukraine."

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning, as the bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities have come at a devastating cost for civilians.

Russian authorities have detained over 1,400 people at anti-war protests across Russia, following the country's invasion of Ukraine, a protest monitor said on Thursday.

The protesters have been detained across 51 cities, OVD-Info - an independent monitor which tracks arrests at opposition rallies - stated.

President Vladimir Putin ordered Russian troops to invade Ukraine, as the country launched an unprovoked offensive early on Thursday.

Thousands of Ukrainian citizens are trying to flee the capital.

Russian police have detained more than 700 people at anti-war protests across Russia after President Vladimir Putin sent troops to invade Ukraine, an independent monitor said Thursday.

"More than 735 people have been detained in 40 cities," said OVD-Info, which tracks arrests at opposition rallies. More than 330 people have been detained in Moscow, the monitor said.

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning, launched a blitzkrieg strike toward the capital Kyiv.

The bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities have come at a devastating cost for civilians, with thousands trying to flee the capital.

Syrians on Thursday slammed Russia's unprovoked invasion of Ukraine, saying they stand in solidarity with Ukrainians after their own experiences of Moscow's aggression.

Syria's National Coalition for Syrian Revolution and Opposition Forces - the country's main opposition group - lambasted Russia's operation, which comes after nearly seven years of waves of Russian bombing of rebel areas in Syria.

"The Syrian National Coalition condemns Russia's attack on Ukraine and invites the world to stand firm against it," they said in a statement on Thursday.

The opposition group called on the international community to take action against Russia's unprovoked attack.

"As Syrian people, we stand by the friendly Ukrainian people and support their resistance against Russia," it said.

Read the full article on The New Arab below

German Chancellor Olaf Scholz on Thursday condemned Russian President Vladimir Putin's invasion of Ukraine in an address to the nation, describing it as the worst conflict in Europe since World War II.

"We are witnessing the beginning of a war the likes of which we have not seen in Europe for more than 75 years," Scholz said. "This is an attempt to forcibly shift borders within Europe, perhaps even to wipe an entire country off the world map."

He warned that Russia's invasion of Ukraine must not be allowed to spread to other parts of Europe, as he vowed that NATO will defend its member states.

"We must ensure that this conflict does not spill over to other European nations. I am in agreement with the American president and our European friends that we must prevent this with everything at our disposal," he said in a televised address to the nation.

Russian President Vladimir "Putin should not underestimate the determination of NATO to defend all its members," Scholz said.

Russia launched an unprovoked offensive on Ukraine early Thursday morning, launched a blitzkrieg strike toward the capital Kyiv.

The bombardments of Ukrainian towns and cities have come at a devastating cost for civilians, with thousands trying to flee the capital.

Denmark will increase its contributions to NATO forces by deploying around 200 soldiers to Estonia as well as two F-16 fighter jets to perform aerial policing in Poland's air space, the government said on Thursday, as a response to Russia's invasion of Ukraine.

The soldiers, which would take part in NATO's operations in Estonia, would be deployed in the first half of March, the country's chief of defence told journalists at a press briefing.

The decisions would need parliamentary approval, which the government will seek later on Thursday.

Denmark will also make preparations to be able to receive refugees from Ukraine as well as send humanitarian aid to Ukraine and neighbouring countries, Prime Minister Mette Frederiksen said.

US President Joe Biden met with G7 allies to hammer out a raft of new sanctions against Russia after it invaded Ukraine, and will later speak to the American people on a crisis that he warns will cause "catastrophic loss of life."

The virtual, closed-door meeting of G7 leaders started at 9:17 am (1417 GMT), a White House official said.

"President Biden and leaders are discussing their joint response to President Putin's unprovoked and unjustified attack on Ukraine," the official said.

UEFA will move this year's Champions League final from St Petersburg in the wake of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, a source with knowledge of the situation told Reuters on Thursday.

UEFA president Aleksander Ceferin has called an extraordinary meeting of the Executive Committee on Friday morning and it is expected to agree on moving the final.

Poland's prime minister has said that neighbouring Ukraine was fighting for "the freedom of all of Europe" against the "barbarity" of Russia's invasion.

"Today, Ukraine is not just fighting for its own freedom. Today, Ukraine is fighting on behalf of all of Europe for the freedom of all of Europe," Mateusz Morawiecki told a special session of parliament in Warsaw.

He urged "firm resistance from the whole of the free world" against Russia's attack, adding that Putin "chose the path of terror".

"He (Putin) wants to break Europe through terror and our firm response will also determine whether, together with Europe, with NATO, we will be able to restore the territorial integrity of Ukraine," Morawiecki said.

He also expressed his solidarity with Ukraine and vowed EU and NATO member Poland would help any possible Ukrainian refugees.

"We will help, we will welcome refugees here. We will help them, we will bandage the wounded, if necessary," he said.

Ukrainian president Zelensky has confirmed that Russian forces are attempting to capture the Chernobyl nuclear plant

Matthew Chance, CNN's Senior International Correspondent, seen here with Russian troops at Antonov Airport. In the video below, he explains how Russian airborne troops have taken the airport and currently engaging with Ukrainian forces who are attempting a counter-offensive. 

The EU has summoned the Russian ambassador to the European Union to convey its "strongest condemnation" of the attack on Ukraine, the bloc's foreign policy service said in a statement.

Ambassador Vladimir Chizhov was condemned for the "unprovoked, unjustified invasion of Ukraine by armed forces of the Russian Federation" and told to convey to Moscow Brussel's demand for an immediate end to military operations, the statement said.

In the last few moments, Reuters has reported that Russian forces have hit a hospital in the Donetsk region, with four casualties confirmed by local Ukrainian authorities.  

Gilbert Achcar writes about the striking parallel between Putin's behaviour in Ukraine and Saddam Hussein's behaviour in the past. The two men resorted to force, accompanied by remarkably similar claims "to achieve expansionist ambitions."

Read his Op-Ed published today in The New Arab below.

The price of wheat smashed its previous record high in European trading on Thursday as Russia invaded Ukraine, putting a question mark on the future of exports from two of the world's biggest producers of the key commodity.

Wheat soared to 344 euros ($384) a tonne, far above its previous record of 313.5 euros recorded late last year, said Edward de Saint-Denis of the brokerage firm Plantureux & Associates.

It later fell back to around 320 euros a tonne. The price of corn meanwhile shot up to 304 euros a tonne.

After weeks of warnings from the United States and other powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a wide-ranging offensive into its neighbour, sparking fury from other world leaders and vows to ramp up sanctions on Moscow.

Read more about the story here

Editors of independent Russian media outlet Novaya Gazeta have openly denounced Russia's invasion of Ukraine, with 2021 Nobel Peace Prize Winner Dimitry Muratov releasing a video calling for an end to the violence.

In solidarity with its Ukrainian neighbours, the publication will be now be written in both Russian and Ukrainian.

Редакция «Новой газеты» выступила против войны с Украиной

Дмитрий Муратов назвал начала боевые действия горем и сказал, что редакция испытывает стыд. Он добавил, что пятничный номер «Новой газеты» выйдет на двух языках — русском и украинском.

Источник видео: «Новая газета» pic.twitter.com/mYXM4NK32a

— Новости Эхо Москвы (@EchoMskNews) February 24, 2022

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced he was launching an offensive on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday.

He did so after recognising the two rebel republics in eastern Ukraine and signing friendship treaties with them.

A Ukrainian military plane with 14 people aboard crashed south of Kyiv on Thursday, the emergencies service said.

The service said it was "still determining how many people died." The incident occurred about 20 kilometres (12 miles) south of Kyiv, amid reports of several locations around the city coming under attack.

NATO envoys met in emergency session Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a large-scale attack on Ukraine as the 30-nation military organisation prepares to bolster its defenses in allies neighboring both countries. Preparations are also underway for a NATO summit.

Oil surged past $105 per barrel and equities tumbled Thursday after key crude producer Russia sent forces into Ukraine, accelerating fears of a major war in eastern Europe.

Asian and European stock markets nosedived - with Frankfurt and Paris shedding five percent - as investors fled risky equities, while haven investment, gold, rebounded close to $2,000 per ounce.

After weeks of warnings from the United States and other powers, Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a wide-ranging offensive into its neighbour, sparking fury from other world leaders and vows to ramp up sanctions on Moscow.

In reaction, oil rocketed more than eight percent, with European benchmark Brent prices briefly cruising past $105 per barrel for the first time since 2014, while aluminium and wheat surged to record peaks on fears over output from major exporter Russia.

Read more about the story here

Ukrainian border guards said Thursday that Russian forces have broken into the Kyiv region, closing in on the capital city.

People hiding in Kyiv metro #Ukraine pic.twitter.com/BvxEII9G6t

— Hanna Liubakova (@HannaLiubakova) February 24, 2022

The Russian military and Moscow-backed separatist forces had already taken over multiple regions in eastern and southern Ukraine, hours after Vladimir Putin announced a full-scale attack on the neighbouring country.

The invasion comes weeks after tensions.

Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to strongly resist the incursion, amid the full mobilisation of the armed forces for war.

Eighteen people died Thursday in an air strike on a military base near Ukraine's Black Sea port city of Odessa, the local administration said.

"Eighteen died - eight men and 10 women. At the moment, we are still digging through the rubble," the Odessa regional administration said in a statement.

The Ukrainian presidency earlier Thursday said at least 40 soldiers and 10 civilians have died.

Russia's ground forces on Thursday crossed into Ukraine from several directions, Ukraine's border guard service said, hours after President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a major offensive.

Russian-backed separatist forces in eastern Ukraine have gained territory and continue to advance after Moscow launched a full-scale attack on the country, the Russian military claimed on Thursday.

Military spokesman Igor Konashenkov told state television that forces of the Donetsk People's Republic gained "up to three kilometres" (1.8 miles) in territory and those of the Lugansk People's Republic "advanced one and a half kilometres."

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Monday said Moscow would formally recognise parts of eastern Ukraine as independent republics and ordered his military to "maintain peace" there.

Some of his allies welcomed the announcement, as the West condemned this move.

Russia's invasion of Ukraine has come after weeks of tension.

Germany's interior minister said her country will offer support to countries in eastern Europe, especially Poland, facing an influx of refugees after Russia invaded Ukraine.

German media have cited estimates that between 200,000 and a million people may flee to the European Union from Ukraine in the event of a war.

"We will offer massive support to the affected states – especially our neighbour Poland – in the event of large refugee movements," Faeser said in a statement, adding she had been in touch with the Polish government and the European Commission.

Read more about the story here.

More than 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians died in the first hours of Russia's invasion of Ukraine, an aide to President Volodymyr Zelensky told reporters on Thursday.

"I know that more than 40 have been killed and several dozen wounded. I am aware of nearly 10 civilian losses," presidential administration aide Oleksiy Arestovych told reporters.

Making a pre-dawn speech on Thursday morning, President Vladimir Putin announced a Russian invasion of Ukraine after weeks of tensions.

Shortly after, and Russian troops and heavy weaponry entered the Eastern European state with Ukrainian cities bombed from the air.

NATO envoys met in emergency session Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a large-scale attack on Ukraine as the 30-nation military organisation prepares to bolster its defenses in allies neighboring both countries. Preparations are also underway for a NATO summit.

"This is a grave breach of international law, and a serious threat to Euro-Atlantic security," NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg said in statement. The allies are meeting, he said, "to address the consequences of Russia’s aggressive actions."

Read the full story here

Ukraine's military command said Thursday that government forces had killed "around 50 Russian occupiers" while repulsing an attack on a town on the frontline with Moscow-backed rebels.

AFP could not immediately confirm the death toll.

"Shchastya is under control. 50 Russian occupiers were killed. Another Russian plane was destroyed in the Kramatorsk district. This is the sixth," the armed forces general staff said on Twitter.

Russian rocket attacks in Ukraine have also been witnessed.

#Ukraine 🇺🇦 BREAKING: Russian missiles are also flying towards Ukrainian territory from the separatist entity of #Transnistria in #Moldova 🇲🇩 pic.twitter.com/qpyeeHuwMW

— Thomas van Linge (@ThomasVLinge) February 24, 2022

Belarus is another important player in the Ukraine crisis with thousands of Russian troops based in the country.

Belarus leader Alexander Lukashenko said Thursday that his military is not taking part in the Russian invasion of Ukraine, state media reported.

"Our armed forces are not taking part in this operation," Lukashenko said. 

Belarus, often described as Europe's last dictatorship, is a key ally of Russia, and Lukashenko and Putin are said to be close.

Belarus, which borders Ukraine, has been seen as a potential launchpad for the Russian invasion.

China on Thursday called for restraint as Russian troops invade neighbouring Ukraine.

It was a response to a pre-dawn announcement by Russian President Vladimir Putin of an all-out assault on Ukraine and called on Ukrainian forces to surrender.

It follows weeks of diplomatic efforts and warnings from the West against any Russian invasion of Ukraine.

Although not directly involved in the crisis, China - which enjoys good relations with Russia - is seen as a key player in the conflict due to its political power and influence.

On Thursday, China called for "restraint" but refused to condemn the invasion.

"China is closely watching the latest situation, and we call on all parties to maintain restraint and prevent the situation from getting out of control," foreign ministry spokeswoman Hua Chunying said.

Chunying was repeatedly asked if Beijing condemned the actions of Russia, AFP reported.

China has criticised the West for new sanctions on Russia in recent days but has not overtly supported Putin's raising of tensions in Ukraine.

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President Vladimir Putin has declared war on Ukraine calling on Ukrainian forces to surrender.

Shortly after dawn, Russian troops invaded the country while military installations around major Ukrainian towns and cities have been bombed.

It marks a major escalation in the European crisis and all-out war between Russia and Ukraine.

We will be giving you all the latest updates at The New Arab.