Ukraine’s president calls on citizens to fight
Zelensky has called on all citizens who are ready to defend the country from Russian forces to come forward, saying Kyiv would issue weapons to everyone who wants them.
The Ukrainian president also urged Russians to come out and protest against Moscow’s decision to invade its neighbour.
Finland is ready receive refugees from Ukraine, PM says
Finland is prepared to receive refugees from Ukraine, the country’s prime minister has said.
“[Finland’s] ministry of interior for its part is preparing to receive refugees from Ukraine,” Sanna Marin told reporters.
Both Marin and Finland’s President Sauli Niinisto have strongly condemned Russia’s attack.
“Despite prior warnings this morning has come as a shock for all of us and our deepest feelings are with Ukrainian people,” Niinisto said.
Russian attack causes panic in Kyiv as people flee
The sound of explosions on the edge of Ukraine’s capital and air sirens set off by a full-scale Russian invasion of the country have prompted the city residents to panic and flee for safety.
Lithuanian parliament to consider state of emergency declaration
The Lithuanian parliament will decide whether to declare a state of emergency later on Thursday following Russia’s moves in Ukraine, President Gitanas Nauseda says.
The Baltic state, a former Soviet republic that is now part of NATO and the European Union, will also propose that further sanctions should be imposed on Belarus over its alleged role in the invasion.
