As Russia Invades, Resolve and Uncertainty in Kharkiv

Ukrainians woke this morning to the sound of explosions as Russian forces bombarded major cities and unleashed a full-scale invasion early on Feb. 24.

Russian cruise and ballistic missiles struck airfields, military sites, and key infrastructure in the capital, Kyiv, as well as Kharkiv, Mariupol, Dnipro, and Odessa. Video footage indicates that populated areas have also been hit by Russian rockets despite claims by Moscow that it is only targeting military infrastructure.

The invasion began on the orders of Russian President Vladimir Putin, who announced a “special military operation” at dawn during a short televised address.