MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized a “special operation” in the Donbass region, Russian state news agency TASS reported.
Explosions rock Ukrainian key airport, military facilities: media
A series of explosions hit the largest Ukrainian airport Boryspil and several military objects in eastern and southern Ukraine early Thursday, according to Interfax-Ukraine news agency.
The Ukrainian Infrastructure Ministry said it is evacuating passengers and staff from Boryspil.
Russia closes airspace on borders with Ukraine, Belarus
Russia has closed its airspace to civilian aircraft starting Thursday on its western borders with Ukraine and Belarus, the Russian aviation authorities announced, shortly after President Vladimir Putin authorized a “special military operation” in the Donbass region.
Ukraine severs diplomatic relations with Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Kiev decides to sever diplomatic relations with Moscow after Russia launched military operations in Donbass, the government-run Ukrinform news agency reported.
“Ukraine is defending itself,” Zelensky said in a televised address. He added that more than 40 Ukrainian soldiers and around 10 civilians were killed in the conflict.
Earlier Thursday, Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized the “special military operation,” and Ukraine confirmed that military installations across the country were under attack. (Xinhua)
Read more: Explosions heard in Kyiv, Putin announces military operation in eastern Ukraine
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