Anti-war protests in Russia; Ukraine President's appeal as Moscow continues military assault

In a late-night press conference, Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelenskyy countered Russia's allegation that Kyiv had started the war with aggression against separatist-controlled areas. "We underline that it wasn't Ukraine who chose the path of war, but Ukraine is offering to get back to the path of peace," he said.

Meanwhile, the Russian defence ministry reportedly called its first day of assault "successful". Moscow said that its forces had destroyed over 70 above-ground Ukrainian military facilities, including 11 aerodromes.

As the day drew to a close, Russian forces reportedly captured Chernobyl, the site of the horrific nuclear disaster in 1986. In southern Ukraine, over 10 civilians were killed as Russian armoured columns from Crimea invaded Kherson, as per reports.

Ukrainian police reportedly said that Russian forces conducted over 200 strikes since the attack began at around 5 am on February 24.

Russian President Vladimir Putin's move to declare war on Ukraine, albeit under the guise of accusing Kyiv of violence first, has not gone down well with many Russian citizens. Anti-war protests reportedly broke out in many Russian cities, and over 700 demonstrators were detained by Russian authorities. Around 2,000 people reportedly protested in Moscow's Pushkin Square, while around 1,000 people protested in Saint Petersburg.