Ukraine: Foreign Minister Says ‘Ukraine Will Win’ Following Putin’s Attack

Ukraine's foreign ministry has vowed the country 'will win' after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war.

In a televised address this morning in Moscow, Putin announced a 'special military operation', but said, 'Our plans are not to occupy Ukraine, we do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone.'

However, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has already declared martial law across the country, and explosions have rocked Kharkiv, Kramatorsk, Mariupol and the capital Kyiv.

'Dear Ukrainian citizens, this morning President Putin announced a special military operation in Donbas. Russia conducted strikes on our military infrastructure and our border guards. There were blasts heard in many cities of Ukraine. We’re introducing martial law on the whole territory of our country,' Zelenskyy said in a video address.

'A minute ago I had a conversation with President Biden. The US have already started uniting international support. Today each of you should keep calm. Stay at home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The whole sector of defence and security is working. No panic. We are strong. We are ready for everything. We will win over everybody because we are Ukraine.'

In a tweet to 'Ukrainians around the globe', Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba wrote, 'Putin attacked, but no one is running away. Army, diplomats, everyone is working. Ukraine fights. Ukraine will defend itself. Ukraine will win. Share the truth about Putin’s invasion in your countries and call on governments to act immediately.'

Ukrainian military forces have reported shooting down five Russian planes and a helicopter. However, air raid sirens have been heard blaring across Kyiv, and Russian forces have taken out military infrastructure at Ukrainian air bases and degraded Ukraine’s air defences, as per Al Jazeera. Hundreds of Ukrainian service members are believed to have already been killed in the attacks.

Hoda Abdel-Hamid, reporting for the outlet from Kramatorsk in eastern Ukraine, said, 'I think... what has been targeted is the military base that is just on the edge of the city. The Russians are trying to diminish the capability of the Ukrainian army as much as possible.'

Andrew Simmons, reporting from Kyiv, also said, 'The whole sky was awash with red and orange when these missiles struck – some of which were apparently cruise missiles. And the main international airport did come under attack – it is not clear what the damage is there, but all air space is closed.'

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