1. Vladimir Putin has launched a full-scale military invasion of Ukraine and demanded Kyiv’s army lay down its weapons, launching what could be the largest conflict in Europe since the second world war. In an address broadcast on state television shortly before 6am on Thursday, Russia’s president claimed that he was not planning to occupy Ukraine but vowed Moscow would punish all those who stood in its way. “The goal is to defend people who have been victims of abuse and genocide from the Kyiv regime. And we will strive to demilitarise and de-Nazify Ukraine,” Putin said. “All responsibility for the possible bloodshed will be fully and completely on the conscience of the ruling regime.” (Source: ft.com)
2. Within minutes of Putin’s short televised address, explosions were heard near major Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv. The scope of the Russian attack appears to be massive. Ukraine’s interior ministry reported that the country was under attack from cruise and ballistic missiles, with Russia appearing to target infrastructure near major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol and Dnipro. (Source: theguardian.com)
3. Ukrainian officials say Russian troops have landed in Odessa while others are crossing the border into Kharkiv. The Ukrainian interior ministry made the announcement on Telegram, adding that rocket attacks are targeting Ukrainian fighter jets at an airport outside Kyiv. Ukraine’s state emergency service says attacks have been launched against 10 Ukrainian regions, primarily in the east and south of the country. The Guardian’s live coverage is constantly updating. There is no paywall. (Source: theguardian.com)
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