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Scenes From An Invasion: Russia Launches Long-Predicted Attack Against Ukraine

Updated

Moscow’s long-feared attack on Ukraine began early on February 24, with missiles being fired at airports and military infrastructure in many cities after Russia President Vladimir Putin ordered a “special” operation to “demilitarize” its neighbor and rival.

Explosions, gunfire, and sirens were reported in the capital, Kyiv, and its Boryspil airport, with witnesses in Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Dnipro, Mariupol, Odesa, and Zaporizhzhya also reporting blasts in the early morning hours.

A Ukrainian soldier crouches next to an anti-tank missile on the outskirts of Kharkiv. 
1 A Ukrainian soldier crouches next to an anti-tank missile on the outskirts of Kharkiv. 
A girl walks past an apartment building, which locals said was damaged by recent shelling, in the separatist-controlled town of Yasynuvata in the Donetsk region.
2 A girl walks past an apartment building, which locals said was damaged by recent shelling, in the separatist-controlled town of Yasynuvata in the Donetsk region.
Smoke rises from an air-defense base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol.
3 Smoke rises from an air-defense base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol.
People wait in a traffic jam as they leave the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. 
4 People wait in a traffic jam as they leave the eastern Ukrainian city of Kharkiv. 
A woman reacts as she waits for a train as she tries to leave Kyiv. 
5 A woman reacts as she waits for a train as she tries to leave Kyiv. 
A Russian armored vehicle moves across the town of Armyansk in northern Crimea on February 24.
6 A Russian armored vehicle moves across the town of Armyansk in northern Crimea on February 24.
A man and a woman stand next to fragments of military equipment on the street in the aftermath of an apparent Russian air strike in Kharkiv.
7 A man and a woman stand next to fragments of military equipment on the street in the aftermath of an apparent Russian air strike in Kharkiv.
Firefighters work to put out a fire after bombings in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuhuiv.
8 Firefighters work to put out a fire after bombings in the eastern Ukrainian town of Chuhuiv.
Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuhuiv near Kharkiv.
9 Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuhuiv near Kharkiv.
Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuhuiv near Kharkiv.
10 Black smoke rises from a military airport in Chuhuiv near Kharkiv.
Ukrainian tanks move into the eastern city of Mariupol.
11 Ukrainian tanks move into the eastern city of Mariupol.
Debris is seen in Kyiv after a missile landed in a street.
12 Debris is seen in Kyiv after a missile landed in a street.
Police officers inspect the remains of a missile that fell in a Kyiv street.
13 Police officers inspect the remains of a missile that fell in a Kyiv street.
People walk at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine in Medyka, Poland, on February 24.
14 People walk at the border crossing between Poland and Ukraine in Medyka, Poland, on February 24.
Ukrainian soldiers are seen in a military vehicle in Mariupol.
15 Ukrainian soldiers are seen in a military vehicle in Mariupol.
A video screen grab shows military vehicles crossing into Ukraine's Kherson Oblast from Crimea through the Kalanchak border control point.
16 A video screen grab shows military vehicles crossing into Ukraine's Kherson Oblast from Crimea through the Kalanchak border control point.
Girls hold their mobile phones as they take refuge in a subway station in Kyiv. Air raid sirens rang out in downtown Kyiv as cities across Ukraine were hit with Russian missile strikes and artillery.
17 Girls hold their mobile phones as they take refuge in a subway station in Kyiv. Air raid sirens rang out in downtown Kyiv as cities across Ukraine were hit with Russian missile strikes and artillery.
People wait to return to the city at Kyiv's airport amid Russia's bombardment.
18 People wait to return to the city at Kyiv's airport amid Russia's bombardment.
Flames are seen from an area near the Dnieper River in Kyiv.
19 Flames are seen from an area near the Dnieper River in Kyiv.
Fire is seen at a military installation near the airport in Mariupol.
20 Fire is seen at a military installation near the airport in Mariupol.
A woman holds a cross as she prays on Independence Square in Kyiv on the morning of February 24,
21 A woman holds a cross as she prays on Independence Square in Kyiv on the morning of February 24,
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