Following Russia’s declaration of war on Ukraine, photographs from the country show bloodshed and death.
On Wednesday night, Feb. 23, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war on Ukraine, ending weeks of diplomatic deadlock and plunging Eastern Europe into anarchy not seen since World War II’s deadliest days.
Under the cover of self-defense, Putin claimed Russia was conducting a “special military operation” to demilitarize and “denazify” the country.
In a live televised statement that aired before 6 a.m. local time, he launched the operation and threatened countries that interfere with “consequences” they have never seen.
Explosions were recorded in Ukraine’s capital city Kyiv, Kramatorsk, Kharkiv, Odessa, and Mariupol shortly after the address.
Russian tanks crossed into Sen’kivka, Ukraine from Belarus on Thursday, Feb. 24.
Ukrainian’s airspace has now been closed to civilian aircraft as the region is considered an active conflict zone.
Highways could be seen jam-packed with vehicles early Thursday as Ukrainian citizens desperately tried to flee to safety.
Images from Ukraine show Ukrainian citizens bandaged and bloodied from the bombings.
In one heartbreaking photo taken today, Feb. 24, a man is seen crying near a body as an airstrike damages an apartment complex outside of Kharkiv, Ukraine.
Another shows a woman wounded following airstrikes in Kharkiv, Ukraine on Feb. 24, 2022. Her head is bandaged and dried blood is seen covering most of her face in the heartbreaking photo.
