HOW IT ALL BEGAN...
On February 24, 2022, around 5 am, the state border of Ukraine at the section with the Russian Federation and the Republic of Belarus came under attack from Russian troops supported by Belarus. This was reported by the State Border Guard Service of Ukraine.
Attacks on border units, border outfits and checkpoints, the report said, took place with the use of artillery, heavy equipment and small arms.
This took place within Donetsk, Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions. In addition, the attack took place from the temporarily occupied territory of the Autonomous Republic of Crimea. The work of the enemy's sabotage and reconnaissance groups was also recorded. Depending on the situation on the border sections, border guards together with the Armed Forces of Ukraine and the National Guard of Ukraine fired on the enemy.
Source: The Guardian.
Symbols: (a) red dots: areas under Russian control as of 24.02.2022; (b) orange dots: areas of air and missile strikes; (c) blue arrows: routes of Russian invasion
➤ Martial law introduced
President of Ukraine Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law. According to the Decree of the President, it was introduced from 5:30 on February 24, 2022 for a period of 30 days.
In the south, Russian troops moved through Perekop and Chongar, captured Novaya Kakhovka with the structures of the Kakhovka hydroelectric power plant in the afternoon (but could not consolidate, so for another three days the HPP passed from hand to hand) and approached Kherson. Another column approached Melitopol.
➤ In Donbas, the enemy attacked Volnovakha, Mariupol, Shchastya.
Two unidentified targets approached Snake Island. They threatened the soldiers of the Izmail border detachment to lay down their arms and surrender. The aggressor used an international communication channel for the safety of navigation. The border guards took up the defense. And in response to the aggressor's demand to surrender, one of them uttered the now famous: “Russian warship, go to... and!”
➤ The press center of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine began to report on operational information on the situation in border regions and in the country as a whole every hour. All components of the system of the Ministry of Internal Affairs (National Police, National Guard, State Border Guard Service, State Emergency Service) participated in the repulse and defense of the country, as well as in overcoming the consequences of Russian missile and air strikes on peaceful Ukrainian cities.
➤ The head of the National Police of Ukraine Igor Klymenko ordered the heads of the Main Departments of Police in the regions to issue weapons to veterans of internal affairs bodies. The procedure for issuing weapons is simplified as much as possible.
➤ Minister of Internal Affairs Denis Monastyrsky addressed Ukrainians:
Dear Ukrainians! Thank you to each of you for your support of Ukraine!
Today at 5:00 a.m., Russia attacked our homeland, and we were waiting for it and preparing.
Now our troops are selflessly holding back the enemy. Unfortunately, there are already the first dead heroes. All our bodies and units of the Ministry of Internal
Affairs in all regions are on combat alert. Police uniforms are on the streets of settlements and highways of Ukraine to ensure peace and order. Police, rescuers, guards, border guards perform their duties selflessly. The situation remains under control.
However, if necessary, contact the State Emergency Service and the National Police.
They will help you.
Due to the fact that the websites of the authorities are under cyber attack, please use our official pages in social networks.
We will provide all operational information on the situation. Please keep calm. Now panic is our second enemy after Putin. Soon through the territorial defense system Weapons will be issued to civilians.
To obtain weapons, you will need to have a passport of a citizen of Ukraine and a desire to defend your land. The National Police will also issue weapons to veterans of the internal affairs bodies.
All in defense of Ukraine!
The truth is with us! We will win!
Glory to Ukraine!
Thus, on February 24, 2022, Russia began a full-scale war against Ukraine, which continues to this day.
