Ukraine invasion: Day one as it happened

24 February 2022, 05:31 | Updated: 25 February 2022, 00:09

  • Vladimir Putin said in a televised address early on Thursday that Russia was launching a "special military operation"
  • Explosions were heard in the Ukrainian capital Kyiv and have been reported in many other cities as Russia launched strikes against targets including airfields
  • At least 137 people have died in the first day of the invasion and hundreds more have been injured, according to Ukrainian authorities
  • Russian forces have taken the Chernobyl power plant and are trying to take an airport close to Kyiv, the Ukrainian Ambassador has warned
  • Western leaders announced a number of economic sanctions in response
  • Over 1,700 Russian anti-war protesters were arrested on Thursday, mainly in Moscow
War begins as Russia invades Ukraine
War begins as Russia invades Ukraine. Picture: Alamy/Getty

By Will Taylor

Vladimir Putin has ordered a military operation in Ukraine as explosions were heard early on Thursday in the capital of Kyiv.

Listen to this article

Loading audio...

Russia has been internationally condemned for what the Ukrainian foreign minister described as a "full-scale invasion".

Mr Putin announced a special military operation during a televised address early on Thursday, saying it was a response to threats posed by Ukraine.

Here's what happened on the first day of the invasion.

Happening Now

More Latest News

See more More Latest News

Donald Trump said he wants Iran "giving up entirely" on nuclear weapons

Donald Trump declares he wants a 'complete end' to Iran’s nuclear weapons programme

The incident reportedly occurred on Pembury Road, Kent.

Woman ‘repeatedly punched in head and pushed out of speeding van’ as police launch manhunt for suspect

Exclusive
LBC can reveal South American cartels dumped over £200 million worth of cocaine into the English Channel last year

Beach-goers urged to watch out for suspicious boats smuggling cocaine from the Channel

Breaking
Emergency services near to the scene of a suspected gas explosion which tore through a terrace house in the early hours of the morning in Stoke Newington.

Woman found knifed to death in London home after police rushed to reports of gas explosion

he Dongfeng 41, a Chinese nuclear-capable intercontinental ballistic missile

China is growing its nuclear weapons stockpile faster than any other country, report warns

Elon Musk in the White House's Oval Office

Elon Musk shares details of drugs test after bombshell report claims he took 'cocktail of substances' as head of DOGE

The Air India 787 Dreamliner was due to leave Ahmedabad's Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel International Airport at 1.10pm local time (8.40am UK time)

Air India flight to London cancelled days after Dreamliner disaster killed at least 270

Kim Woodburn, in 3th place, leaves the Celebrity Big Brother house on February 3, 2017

How Clean is Your House? star Kim Woodburn dies aged 83 after a short illness as tributes pour in

Food distributed to Palestinians in Gaza amid Israeli attacks

Israeli tank shelling on crowds waiting for aid kills 45 Palestinians in Khan Younis

Pilots said they heard a “loud thud” immediately before the left engine lost power, the DGCA’s investigation report claimed

Air India Dreamliner identical to doomed flight AI171 'suffered engine failure before making emergency landing' in 2023

Rescue workers clear the rubble of a multi-storey residential house destroyed by a Russian strike in Kyiv, Ukraine

At least 14, including US citizen, dead as Russia launches massive wave of drone and missile strikes at Kyiv

Dumont Road, Stoke Newington.

40 firefighters tackle suspected gas explosion in north-east London as police probe underway

Exclusive
Greta Thunberg gets arrested at the Oily Money Out protest - Fossil free london and extinction rebellion protest outside The Energy intelligence forum (also known as the Oscars for the oil industry) event at the Intercontinetal Hotel, park lane, in 2023

Government 'quietly drops' fight for tougher anti-protest laws used to arrest climate activist Greta Thunberg

US President Donald Trump speaking to the media at the G7 summit in Kananaskis, Alberta, Canada

Trump leaves G7 summit early over Middle East tensions as he issues evacuation warning for Tehran

Matthew Perry attends 'The Circle' screening during the 2017 Tribeca Film Festival at BMCC Tribeca PAC on April 26, 2017 in New York City.

Doctor to plead guilty to supplying Friends star Matthew Perry with ketamine

The son of a woman who died while skydiving said she was "just trying something new" when her family lost her.

‘Caring’ mother-of-four who died while skydiving was ‘just trying something new’, son says