Ukraine says 50 Russian elements killed, 7 planes shot down

Four Russian tanks destroyed as well, says Ukrainian Defence Ministry after Russia announces military intervention

KYIV:

Ukraine’s Defence Ministry on Thursday announced that 50 Russian elements were killed and seven planes were shot down.

"Fifty Russian occupiers were killed, seven Russian planes were shot down, and four tanks were destroyed," the ministry said in a statement.

Russian strikes pose no threat to civilian population in Ukraine – Ministry of Defense pic.twitter.com/fxllzwuwZp

— RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2022

 

It also said Ukraine downed two Russian helicopters over the Gostomel town, near the capital Kyiv.

Watch Russian rockets fly in the air and tanks roll past CNN reporter Frederick Pleitgen as they appear to head towards Ukraine from Belgorod, Russia https://t.co/ZzKF4aYCcD pic.twitter.com/Z1ipkXcOPV

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2022

Air raid sirens are heard across Kyiv, Ukraine. CNN's Matthew Chance reports on the sirens after hearing explosions near the capital since Russian President Vladimir Putin announced his military operation in Ukraine https://t.co/51tKL4SZQC pic.twitter.com/iU0m9cJmjO

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2022

Livestream video shows tanks crossing the Ukrainian border with Belarus as Russia attacks Ukraine. CNN's Frederik Pleitgen reports https://t.co/u3i0zhDB2O pic.twitter.com/tAKfNoGLdz

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2022

Separately, Ukraine took captive two Russian soldiers, according to information obtained from the Ukrainian Embassy in Ankara.

Kiev's roads jammed and locals mass at the railway station in Ukraine's Kiev amid the ongoing special military operation in Donbass pic.twitter.com/GVKe813S94

— RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2022

The images of the soldiers along with their weapons were shared on social media.

A total of 14 Ukrainian military servicemen have surrendered to DPR troops, as reported by war correspondent Semyon Pegov, including one who was wounded and treated on site pic.twitter.com/SPD54IOGUJ

— RT (@RT_com) February 24, 2022

Early Thursday, Russia announced a military intervention in Ukraine, drawing international condemnation and vows of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Russian President Vladimir Putin on Thursday authorized "a special military operation" in Donbass and Ukraine has severed diplomatic relations with Russia. The conflict has aroused grave concern in the international community. #GLOBALink pic.twitter.com/nx3l2vz8VJ

— China Xinhua News (@XHNews) February 24, 2022

Explosions were reported in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.

CNN's Matthew Chance reports from an airbase outside the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv, where Russian airborne troops are engaged in a fire fight with the Ukrainian military https://t.co/TaPomIUP26 pic.twitter.com/rSye7nzmbi

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2022

Watch Russian rockets fly in the air and tanks roll past CNN reporter Frederick Pleitgen as they appear to head towards Ukraine from Belgorod, Russia https://t.co/ZzKF4aYCcD pic.twitter.com/Z1ipkXcOPV

— CNN (@CNN) February 24, 2022

In recent months Russia has amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine, but repeatedly denied any intention of invading.