Belarus' Lukashenko convenes a meeting with military, state media says
From CNN's Nathan Hodge in Moscow
Belarusian President Alexander Lukashenko will convene a meeting with his military, state-run news agency Belta reported on Thursday.
Belarus and Russia have close military ties, and Russian troops recently deployed to Belarus for extensive military drills.
CNN has witnessed, through a livestream video, troops atop a column of military vehicles entering Ukraine from a border crossing with Belarus.
Lukashenko and Russian President Vladimir Putin spoke earlier Thursday morning about the ongoing situation in Ukraine, Belta reported.
2:30 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
Ukraine Defense Ministry: "Russian troops are suffering losses"
From CNN’s Mick Krever in Kharkiv and Tim Lister in Kyiv.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Defense said Thursday its forces are countering the Russian offensive “with dignity” and inflicting losses on Moscow’s troops.
“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,” the Ministry said in a statement shared on Whatsapp. “Situation is controlled. The Russian troops are suffering losses.”
The Ministry also said there had been “no losses among the defenders of Ukraine.”
In an earlier statement, Russia’s Ministry of Defense said it had neutralized Ukrainian air defenses.
CNN has been unable to independently verify either of these claims.
2:29 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
Long lines of cars in Kyiv heading out of Ukrainian capital
(Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
Photos from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are emerging of long lines of cars heading out of the city after Russia's attack early Thursday morning. Heavy traffic appears to be all moving west, away from where explosions were heard this morning, with few cars going east.
Earlier Thursday morning, CNN reporters heard explosions coming from the east of the city, in the direction of Boryspil International Airport.
Explosions have also been reported in other parts of Ukraine including Kharkiv and the port city Odessa.
2:07 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
Russian military vehicles enter Ukraine from Crimea
From CNN’s Paul P. Murphy and Josh Pennington
Russian military vehicles have entered Ukraine through Crimea, according to a video released by the Ukrainian Border Guard.
It's unclear which border crossing the vehicles are entering Ukraine from — Chongar in the east or Kalanchak in the west.
Earlier this morning, livestream video from the Belarus border crossing showed a column of troops and military vehicles crossing into Ukraine. The video was shot around 6:48 a.m. local time at the crossing between Senkivka, Ukraine, and Veselovka, Belarus.
The Ukrainian Border Guard told CNN in a statement earlier that their borders were attacked by Russia, and Belarus, "with the use of artillery, heavy equipment and small arms."
2:31 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
UK's Boris Johnson told Zelensky “the West would not stand by” as Russia attacks
From CNN’s Jonathan Hawkins
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson. (Daniel Leal-Olivas/WPA Pool/Getty Images)
British Prime Minister Boris Johnson told Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in a phone call on Thursday that “the West would not stand by as President Putin waged his campaign against the Ukrainian people,” according to Downing Street.
Johnson and Zelensky spoke over the phone after Russia’s attack on Ukraine in the early hours of Thursday, according to a statement tweeted by Downing Street.
Johnson told Zelensky on the call that “he was appalled by the unfolding events in Ukraine," said the statement. It added that Johnson hoped “Ukraine could resist,” and that the United Kingdom had Ukrainians in their thoughts "during this dark time."
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky tweeted on Thursday that he is continuing consultations with world leaders.
“The world is with us,” he wrote. “I continue negotiations with the leaders. Received support from the Emir of Qatar.”
Earlier in the morning, he tweeted that he had spoken with US President Joe Biden, UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, European Council President Charles Michel, and Polish President Andrzej Duda.
2:00 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
Chinese embassy in Ukraine warns nationals to stay inside, and put Chinese flags on their cars for safety
From CNN's Beijing Bureau and Caitlin McGee in Auckland
The Chinese embassy in Ukraine released a warning for its citizens in the country early Thursday, urging them to place the Chinese flag on their vehicles for safety.
"The situation in Ukraine has deteriorated dramatically. There have been bombings in multiple cities, and the military operations are under way," said the statement from the embassy. It urged citizens to stay home and away from windows or glass, warning "serious riots" may happen on the streets.
It added that if Chinese nationals are driving on the roads, "the Chinese national flag can be affixed to the visible part of the car body."
It also asked Chinese nationals to pay close attention to the situation, stay in contact with overseas Chinese organizations, and to "extend a helping hand to each other to reflect the image of the Chinese people and the strength of China."
A tricky spot for China: China has found itself in an uncomfortable position during the ongoing crisis; China and Russia have have presented an increasingly united front in the face of what they view as Western interference into their domestic affairs and threats to their security. That partnership was very publicly bolstered only weeks ago at a Xi-Putin summit.
Zhang Jun, China's ambassador to the United Nations, called for all parties to "stay cool headed and rational" on Wednesday night, saying "a peaceful solution" was still possible — even as the Ukrainian ambassador declared it was "too late" for de-escalation given Russia's attacks.
1:55 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022
US Embassy in Kyiv tells Americans to "shelter in place"
From CNN's Vasco Cotovio in Moscow
The United States Embassy in Kyiv has issued a warning for Americans in Ukraine to “shelter in place” due to Russian attacks in a number of major Ukrainian cities.
“There are reports of Russian attacks on targets in a number of major Ukrainian cities, including Kyiv, Kharkiv, Odesa, Ivano-Frankivsk, and Mariupol," the embassy said on Twitter.
"US citizens in Ukraine are advised to shelter in place and take the following actions:
If you hear a loud explosion or if sirens are activated, immediately seek cover.
If in a home or a building, go to the lowest level of the structure with the fewest exterior walls, windows, and openings; close any doors and sit near an interior wall, away from any windows or openings.
If you are outdoors, immediately seek cover in a hardened structure; if that is not possible, lie down and cover your head with your hands."
