ANKARA, Feb 24 -- Ukraine on Thursday severed diplomatic ties with Russia, hours after Moscow launched a military intervention against its eastern neighbour, Anadolu Agency reported.
"Ukraine is defending itself and shall not cede its freedom," President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said defiantly in an address to the nation.
Zelenskyy earlier announced martial law across the country after Russian President Vladimir Putin said he was launching an offensive to, in his words, “demilitarise and denazify” Ukraine.
On another development, the the Ukrainian State Air Traffic Service announced Thursday that the Ukrainian airspace was closed to civilian use due to “high risk” to civil aviation.
Separately, Russia announced the closure to civilian flights of its airspace on the western border with both Ukraine and Belarus, Anadolu Agency reported.
Early Thursday Russia announced a military intervention in Ukraine, drawing international condemnation and vows of tougher sanctions on Moscow.
Explosions were reported in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.
Putin's announcement of military intervention early Thursday drew international condemnation and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.
The intervention followed a month-long buildup of some 100,000 troops around Ukraine, with Russia repeatedly denying any intent to launch an invasion.
-- BERNAMA
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