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Ukraine invasion: Russia's attack in maps Ukraine maps: Tracking Russia's invasion
(about 13 hours later)
Russia has launched a major invasion of Ukraine from three main directions. Russian troops have reached the outskirts of Kyiv after launching a full-scale invasion of Ukraine from three main directions.
Reports say troops are advancing from the north in the direction of Kyiv; from the east through Donetsk, Luhansk and Kharkiv; and from Crimea in the south. Troops are advancing from the north; from the east through Donetsk, Luhansk, Kharkiv and Sumy; and from Crimea in the south.
In less than 24 hours, dozens of targets have been struck, as Russian troops have poured into Ukraine. Dozens of targets have been struck, as Russian troops have poured into Ukraine.
Attack from the air The fight for Kyiv
From approximately 03:00GMT, explosions were heard in many cities across the country, as Ukraine's air defences and other military infrastructure came under attack. On Friday, Russian troops arrived in the Obolon area of the north of the city, according to Ukrainian officials.
Analysts say that strikes from the air are aimed at clearing the way for ground troops to move in. Reports suggest that the main Russian advances are towards the city centre from Ivankiv to Kyiv's north west and Chernihiv to the north east.
Among the targets were locations in Kyiv, Karkhiv, Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk. Ukraine's capital has come under further missile attack as Russian troops approach from the north.
Gunfire has been heard in the central government area of the city centre near the presidential office.
The Ukrainian army says it has blown up a bridge over the Teteriv river at Ivankiv, 50 miles (80km) to the north of the city, to slow the Russian advance.
There has been fierce fighting at Antonov airport, to the west of Kyiv. Yesterday airborne Russian troops attacked the airport at Gostomel.
Russian troops around Ukraine
Russia is now in full control of significant parts of Ukraine's territory.
After Ukraine's air defences and other military infrastructure came under attack on Thursday, columns of tanks have moved rapidly into position, backed up by artillery and air power.
Among the initial targets were Kyiv, Karkhiv, Odesa and Ivano-Frankivsk.
Troops are now spreading out in parts of the north, east and south, with missile strikes and artillery clearing the way for advancing Russian forces.
Strike from the northStrike from the north
From the north, Russian troops are believed to have crossed the border into Ukraine at the three-way junction between Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, at Senkivka.From the north, Russian troops are believed to have crossed the border into Ukraine at the three-way junction between Ukraine, Russia and Belarus, at Senkivka.
In recent weeks, a huge deployment of Russian troops has gathered close to Novye Yurkovichi and Troebortno, including "the entire 41st army", according to Michael Kofman of the US-based Center for Naval Analyses.In recent weeks, a huge deployment of Russian troops has gathered close to Novye Yurkovichi and Troebortno, including "the entire 41st army", according to Michael Kofman of the US-based Center for Naval Analyses.
Armoured columns, including tanks and multiple launch rocket systems, have moved towards Chernihiv, on a direct path to Kyiv. Armoured columns, including tanks and multiple launch rocket systems, moved through Chernihiv, on a direct path to Kyiv.
There has also been fighting on the outskirts of the capital, as Ukrainian forces try to recapture Antonov airbase to the west of the city. A second advance has come down the west side of the Dnieper river via Chernobyl.
Russian airborne troops took control of the Gostomel airfield, but Ukraine's president, Volodymyr Zelensky, vowed that they would be encircled and crushed.
A missile strike also hit the town of Brovary, east of Kyiv.
Russian forces are reported to have captured the former nuclear plant at Chernobyl.
LIVE: Follow latest developmentsLIVE: Follow latest developments
Strike from the eastStrike from the east
From the east, there are reports that Russian tanks have arrived in Kharkhiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Parts of the city have been shelled. In the east, there has been fighting around Kharkhiv, Ukraine's second-largest city. Parts of the city have been shelled.
Overnight, there were large explosions in Donetsk, and similar blasts coming from the direction of Belgorod across the border, where large troop movements were reported on Wednesday. There is also fighting around Donetsk, which has come under attack from troops crossing from Belgorod in western Russia.
Firefighters work on a building in ChuguivFirefighters work on a building in Chuguiv
Separately, Russia's Interfax news agency reported claims from Russian-backed separatists that they had launched an offensive on the Ukrainian-controlled town of Shchastia in Luhansk.Separately, Russia's Interfax news agency reported claims from Russian-backed separatists that they had launched an offensive on the Ukrainian-controlled town of Shchastia in Luhansk.
There was also fierce fighting around Sumy, near Kharkiv.There was also fierce fighting around Sumy, near Kharkiv.
There are thought to be about 15,000 Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, who may help a Russian advance. Ukraine believes the figure is higher.There are thought to be about 15,000 Russian-backed separatists in Donetsk and Luhansk, who may help a Russian advance. Ukraine believes the figure is higher.
Strike from the southStrike from the south
In the south, troops have crossed from from Crimea to the mainland, towards Kherson, taking Chongar and Novo Alekseyevka.In the south, troops have crossed from from Crimea to the mainland, towards Kherson, taking Chongar and Novo Alekseyevka.
Overnight, explosions were heard in cities across the region, including Odesa, Mariupol, Melitpol and Kherson. Explosions have been heard in cities across the region, including Odesa, Mariupol, Melitpol and Kherson.
Ukrainian officials - quoted by the Reuters news agency - said Russian troops had landed in the ports of Odesa and Mariupol. On Thursday, Ukrainian officials - quoted by the Reuters news agency - said Russian troops had landed in the ports of Odesa and Mariupol.
In recent days, Russia had positioned landing ships capable of deploying main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and personnel, off the Ukrainian coast in a major build-up in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.In recent days, Russia had positioned landing ships capable of deploying main battle tanks, armoured vehicles and personnel, off the Ukrainian coast in a major build-up in the Black Sea and the Sea of Azov.
Ukrainian forces are concentrated in the east of Ukraine, towards Donetsk and Luhansk,Ukrainian forces are concentrated in the east of Ukraine, towards Donetsk and Luhansk,
Ben Barry, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says that a Russian advance north from Crimea may succeed in cutting them off from Kyiv, stranding them on the east side of the Dnieper River.Ben Barry, of the International Institute for Strategic Studies, says that a Russian advance north from Crimea may succeed in cutting them off from Kyiv, stranding them on the east side of the Dnieper River.
With Russian troops to their east, in Donetsk and Luhansk, north in Russia, and on the west bank of the Dnieper, they would be encircled.With Russian troops to their east, in Donetsk and Luhansk, north in Russia, and on the west bank of the Dnieper, they would be encircled.
Graphics by Zoe Bartholomew and Mark Bryson Graphics by Zoe Bartholomew, Mark Bryson and Sana Dionysiou