As you should know by now, Vladimir Putin let slip the dogs of war last night US time/ this morning eastern european time after months of build-up. The initial attacks came as the UN Security Council was meeting to discuss the situation. Just before the first missiles impacted, and likely after they had launched, a prerecorded address by Putin was played on Russian state media. In that address he announced his plan for a special military operation aimed at disarming and de-nazifying Ukraine.
Before I go any further, I caution you about the news and reports coming out of the warzone. Not only do you have to wade through the typical fog of war misinformation, you need to deal with active Kremlin disinformation and PSYOPS. If it gets reported by me, it is as close to the truth as I can get from here. Again, be very wary of the information you’re consuming and sharing, spreading disinformation about this can cost lives.
Starting around 2130 EST Russian cruise missiles, short and intermediate range ballistic missiles and air launched precision munitions started hitting targets in Ukraine. Among the first targets were airports and ammo depots. However, not all targets were military in nature as several sites within the cities of Kyiv, Kharkiv, Lviv and Mariupol were hit.
Shortly before 0700 local time the ground offensive kicked off with armored columns moving out from Crimea, the Donbas region and the Belarus border. The Crimean column made good headway into Ukraine, but that’s to be expected, given that column consists of mainly elite VDV paratroopers.
The attacks from the Donbas and Belarus have not made nearly as much progress, though reports indicate that the Belarusan front has captured Chernobyl and most of the exclusion zone.
Things are looking grim for the Ukrainians, however it is not all bad. It seems the Ukrainians have slowed if not stopped the assault from the Danbas. And there are multiple, though unconfirmed, reports that the Ukrainians have shot down several Russian aircraft today. There are also many images and video of disabled and destroyed russian tanks and armored vehicles.
As I write this Ukrainian forces are fighting to take back Hostomel airport, just 15km from the capitol of Kyiv. Russian airborne forces landed there earlier today and managed to push back the defenders. As of 1515est at least part of the airfield is back under Ukrainian control.
I will try to keep you updated as much as possible, however the speed at which this is unfolding may not make that possible. Look for a separate piece about the western reaction to this naked aggression by Putin later today.