Ukraine: Citizens In Kharkiv Told Not To Leave Their Homes As Invasion Commences

The mayor of Kharkiv in Ukraine has urged residents not to leave their homes following explosions in a number of major cities.

The sound of blasts began to ring out at around 5am local time in Ukraine after Vladimir Putin announced he had ordered a 'specialised military operation' in Ukraine's eastern Donbas region.

Multiple explosions were heard in the capital city of Kyiv and the sounds of artillery rang out across the country in the hours following the announcement, prompting Kharkiv Mayor Igor Terekhov to issue a warning to residents in one of Ukraine's largest cities.

In a Facebook post cited by CNN, he told residents, 'Please do not leave your homes today.'

He continued, 'Due to the complicated situation, schools, kindergartens and other institutions do not work today — until the situation becomes clearer. At the same time, public transport works as usual. I will keep you informed of what is happening and the actions of city authorities throughout the day.'

Terekhov's warning was echoed by the United States Embassy in Kyiv, which advised Americans in Ukraine to 'shelter in place' amid reports of Russian attacks. Writing on Twitter, the embassy added, 'If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover.'

Reporters in Kharkiv have described hearing a 'steady stream of loud explosions', CNN reports.

Elsewhere in the country, residents have been met with the sounds of air raid sirens, and while reporters on the ground initially described a 'remarkably calm' mood amid the chaos, Sky News chief correspondent Stuart Ramsay said there is now an 'awful lot of fear' in the capital city of Kyiv.

Ramsay described the roads heading out of the city as being 'absolutely jam-packed', adding, 'We are in a capital city that is terrified.'

Public transport is still in use to allow people to move around, and while some locals appear to be carrying on their day by commuting into work, Ramsay expressed belief the reaction will 'change dramatically' in the coming hours. He added that those in the area are 'waiting to see clearer evidence of what's happening'.

The Ukrainian Ministry of Defence has claimed its forces are fighting back 'with dignity' to the invasion, with a statement released on WhatsApp saying, 'National Defence Forces, using the right for self-defence according to the article 51 of the United Nations Charter are countering with dignity the enemy's attempts to break through the state border. Situation is controlled. The Russian troops are suffering losses.'

The ministry added that there had been 'no losses among the defenders of Ukraine'.

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