Russian forces invade Ukraine

Russian military tanks and armored vehicles advance in Donetsk, Ukraine on February 24, 2022.

Russia launched an invasion of its neighbor Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday morning, with reports of missiles hitting several key Ukrainian cities.

The military assault on Ukraine appears to be taking place both on the ground and by air, with preliminary reports of the first casualties coming in from officials in the country.

Russia began attacking various positions across the country early on Thursday local time after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that Russia would carry out a special military operation in Ukraine.

The demilitarization of Ukraine was its goal, Putin said. He said that Russia's plans do not include the occupation of Ukrainian territories.

Russia's claims to the contrary are seen as a pretext for an invasion by many.

Volodymyr Zelensky, the President of Ukraine, called for an immediate end to Putin's war on the world. He said that the world must force Russia into peace and called for immediate sanctions on Russia.

Close followers of Russian politics believe that Putin wants to install a pro-Russia regime in Ukraine.

U.S., Europe and Ukrainian officials have condemned the attack with the Foreign Minister of Ukraine calling for heavy sanctions on Moscow.

It's not clear if Western powers will use military means to stop Putin. Several countries, including the U.S. and U.K., have sent weapons to Ukraine. Ukraine's foreign minister has called for more assistance.

When he announced the military operation against Ukraine, Putin warned that any country that tried to interfere would face consequences.

There are already reports of casualties in the situation in Ukraine, which is difficult to confirm.

NBC News confirmed that six people had been killed in the bombing of Podilsk in the Odessa region, with a further seven people wounded and 19 people missing.

CHUHUIV, UKRAINE - FEBRUARY 24: A tank of Ukrainian forces moves as following Russia’s military operation on February 24, 2022, in Chuhuiv town, Kharkiv Oblast, Ukraine.

A video was released by the Ukrainian Interior Ministry which appeared to show military vehicles crossing the border. The ministry said the video was filmed at the border with the peninsula.

Some of the vehicles were seen to have a "Z" mark, which is a feature of Russian military vehicles, that had been amassing along the border with Ukraine in recent months.