February 24, 2022 Russia-Ukraine news

By Aditi Sangal, Meg Wagner, Adrienne Vogt, Melissa Macaya, Rob Picheta, Lauren Said-Moorhouse, Ed Upright, Maureen Chowdhury and Fernando Alfonso III, CNN

Updated 8:06 a.m. ET, February 25, 2022
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5:33 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Ukraine armed forces say a sixth Russian plane has been shot down

From CNN's Tim Lister in Kyiv and Vasco Cotovio in Moscow

The General Staff of the Ukrainian Armed Forces says it has shot down a sixth Russian plane, this time in the Kramatorsk area.

The update follows a claim earlier Thursday that it had shot down five aircraft and a helicopter as Russian forces attacked Ukraine.  

In response, the Russian military earlier denied the claims, according to state news agency TASS.

5:23 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Long lines of cars in Kyiv heading out of Ukrainian capital

(Pierre Crom/Getty Images)
(Pierre Crom/Getty Images)

Photos from the Ukrainian capital Kyiv are emerging of long lines of cars heading out of the city after Russia's attack early Thursday morning. Heavy traffic appears to be all moving west, away from where explosions were heard this morning, with few cars going east.

Earlier Thursday morning, CNN reporters heard explosions coming from the east of the city, in the direction of Boryspil International Airport.

Explosions have also been reported in other parts of Ukraine including Kharkiv and the port city Odessa.

5:23 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Russia on a "path of evil," says Ukraine PM Zelensky

Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a televised address on February 24.
Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky speaks during a televised address on February 24. (CNN)

Russia has attacked Ukraine in a “cunning way,” acting much the same as Hitler did in the Second World War, Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said in a televised address Thursday as Russian forces enter the country from three sides. 

Russia is on a “path of evil,” Prime Minister Zelensky said. 

He called for “everyone who is able” to join the military to do so and called on all veterans to come forward. 

Zelensky added that the Ukrainian military are engaged in “heavy fighting fending off attacks in Donbas in the east in the north and in the south.”  

 “The enemy has sustained heavy casualties and they will be even heavier ... they came to our land,” he warned.

9:08 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Some of NATO's eastern countries have triggered Article 4. Here's what that means

From CNN's Brad Lendon

NATO member states Poland, Estonia, Latvia and Lithuania have triggered NATO Article 4 to launch consultations within the alliance over Russia's attack on Ukraine.

“The Parties will consult together whenever, in the opinion of any of them, the territorial integrity, political independence or security of any of the Parties is threatened,” Article 4 of The North Atlantic Treaty says.

According to the NATO website, consultation under Article 4 can lead to collective action among the 30 member states.

The website says Article 4 has been invoked six times previously since the alliance formed in 1949, most recently by Turkey in February 2020 after dozens of Turkish soldiers were killed by an attack by Syrian government forces in opposition-held areas of northern Syria.

Turkey has invoked Article 4 on four other occasions: once in 2015 to inform the alliance of its response to terrorist attacks in the country; twice in 2012 after a Turkish warplane was shot down in northern Syria and after Turkish civilians were killed by Syrian shelling; and in 2003 when it asked for alliance help to protect its population from any spillover from the war in neighboring Iraq.

On two of those occasions, NATO responded with military aid, sending Patriot missile batteries to protect against Syrian attacks in 2012 and sending aircraft and missile batteries to southeastern Turkey along the border with Iraq in 2003.

Poland invoked Article 4 in 2014 after previous Russian aggression in Ukraine, a meeting that resulted in further alliance efforts to stand together against any threats.

Article 4 is separate from Article 5, which is the alliance’s declaration that an attack against one member is considered an attack against all.

4:59 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Putin lashes out with ominous threat to Ukrainians and other countries

Analysis by Jill Dougherty

Russian state television broadcasts an address by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24.
Russian state television broadcasts an address by Russian President Vladimir Putin on February 24. (Russia 24)

Before the crack of dawn, just before explosions began in cities across Ukraine, Russian state television unexpectedly broadcast an address by Russian President Vladimir Putin.  

The two self-proclaimed "people's republics" of Donetsk and Luhansk, in the breakaway Ukrainian region of Donbas, which he had officially recognized as independent less than two days before, had "turned to Russia with a request for help," he said. To answer that call he was launching a "special military operation." Its purpose: to "demilitarize" and "denazifiy" Ukraine. 

Within minutes, Russian missiles began hitting targets in Ukraine. "Our actions are self-defense against threats," he told his fellow Russians, claiming Moscow had no plans to occupy Ukraine. "We do not plan to impose ourselves on anyone," he insisted.

Putin described the "special military operation" in limited terms, to protect people living in Donbas who, he claimed, had been subjected to "genocide," a charge that Ukraine has strenuously denied. But in the next breath, he lashed out more broadly: "NATO supports Ukrainian neo-Nazis ... our actions are self-defense against threats." 

Then, in an extraordinary passage, he spoke directly to members of Ukraine's military, at that very moment in the crosshairs of the Russian military. Addressing them as "dear comrades," he told them they had taken an "oath of allegiance to the Ukrainian people, and not to the anti-people junta that is robbing Ukraine and abuses those same people."

"Don't follow its criminal orders!" he demanded. "I urge you to lay down your weapons and go home." 

As he has done so many times before, Putin claimed Russia had no choice but to defend itself. With a hard-edged tone in his voice, he seemed to threaten the US, Europe and NATO which, in just a few minutes, would witness his armed forces opening fire on Ukraine, something the Kremlin had consistently dismissed as western "hysterics." 

"Whoever tries to interfere with us, and even more so, to create threats for our country, for our people, should know that Russia's response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences that you have never experienced in your history.

"We are ready for any development of events. All necessary decisions in this regard have been made."

Putin, who for years had criticized the West for ignoring his complaints about NATO's expansion toward Russia's borders, was finally striking back with fury. "I hope," he concluded his short address, "that I have been heard."

WATCH:

4:42 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Russia's invasion of Ukraine is "brutal" and "unprovoked," Australian prime minister says

From CNN's Lizzy Yee in Hong Kong 

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Steven Saphore/AFP/Getty Images)
Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison. (Steven Saphore/AFP/Getty Images)

Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison called Russia's invasion of Ukraine "brutal" and "unprovoked," while announcing new sanctions on 25 more individuals and four financial institutions.

“We denounce what are unilateral hostile actions in Ukraine. Russia is flagrantly breaching international law and the UN Charter. Russia has chosen war,” Morrison said, speaking to reporters in a press conference Thursday.  

"Together with the international community, we are banding together in strong terms to condemn these outrageous acts in the strongest possible terms," Morrison said. 

Morrison said the new sanctions would target army commanders, deputy defense ministers and Russian mercenaries "responsible for the unprovoked and unacceptable aggression," as well as businesses that had been involved in the development and sale of military technology and weapons.

On Wednesday, Australia announced sanctions on eight members of Russia's Security Council.

Morrison said there will be "further waves of sanctions" and that he was discussing with the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade on taking action against more than 300 members of Russian parliament. 

"We must ensure there is a cost for this violent, unacceptable and egregious behavior…there always must be a cost for such reprehensible violence.”

“This is a chilling reminder of the world that we live in, and where the threats and aggression of bullies and those who seek to intimidate others to seek their own advantage ... is a reality," Morrison said.

Morrison said there were no plans for Australia to engage in military support for Ukraine and that their military support had not been requested from the government.

"We work closely with NATO and their member states. What we are doing is working with them in other ways," he said.

5:36 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

EU foreign policy chief: Russia attack is one of "darkest hours for Europe since World War II"

From CNN’s Joseph Ataman in Paris and Amy Cassidy

European Commission vice-president in charge of Foreign Policy Josep Borrell gives a joint press statement with the Commission President on Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, on February 24.
European Commission vice-president in charge of Foreign Policy Josep Borrell gives a joint press statement with the Commission President on Russia's attack on Ukraine, in Brussels, Belgium, on February 24. (Kenzo Tribouillard/AFPGetty Images)

Russia's attack on Ukraine Thursday ranked among the "darkest hours for Europe" in nearly 80 years, according to the European Union's foreign policy chief.

These are among the darkest hours for Europe since the end of World War II,” EU High Representative Josep Borrell told reporters.

Borrell promised “urgent assistance to Ukraine,” as well as supporting evacuation efforts, including of EU staff.

EU sanctions: Speaking alongside EU Commission President Ursula von der Leyen, Borrell said punitive measures from the 27-member bloc against Russia would be “the harshest packet of sanctions that has ever been implemented.”

Von der Leyen said she will present “massive and strategic” sanctions against Russia for approval later today.

4:37 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

European stocks fall sharply after Russia attacks Ukraine

From CNN's Robert North

European markets opened sharply lower on Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation in Ukraine.

In the opening minutes of trade the FTSE 100 fell 2.5%, the French CAC 40 dropped 4% and Germany's Dax was 4% lower.

Earlier, Asian markets and US stock futures plunged on Thursday as news of the military action emerged. Hong Kong's Hang Seng Index declined 3%. Korea's Kospi dropped 2.6%. Japan's Nikkei 225 lost nearly 2% after coming back from a holiday. China's Shanghai Composite moved 1.7% lower.

US stocks futures also tumbled: Dow futures were down as much as 780 points, or 2.4%. S&P 500 and Nasdaq futures were down 2.3% and 3% respectively.

The broad losses followed a sharp decline on Wall Street on Wednesday. The Dow closed down more than 464 points, or 1.4%, posting its fifth straight day of losses. The S&P 500 and Nasdaq fell 1.8% and 2.6%, respectively.

4:36 a.m. ET, February 24, 2022

Subway stations become improvised bunkers in Kyiv, as people leave the Ukrainian capital

From CNN's Vasco Cotovio in Moscow

People take shelter in the Vokzalna metro station of Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24. (Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images)
People take shelter in the Vokzalna metro station of Kyiv, Ukraine, on February 24. (Daniel Leal/AFP/Getty Images)

In the Ukrainian capital Kyiv, subway stations have become improvised bunkers. Witnesses in the city told CNN the stations are full of people carrying supplies, organized in groups.

The stations are full -- but not the trains themselves, which are still running smoothly.

Ukrainians flee Kyiv: Photos began emerging Thursday morning of heavy traffic in the city, with long lines of cars heading out of Kyiv.

"While we hear those (air raid) sirens, you can imagine how panicked the people of this city are being shaken out of their beds at these thundering explosions that have been taking place all around us," said CNN's Matthew Chance in Kyiv earlier today.

"All that traffic is heading in one direction ... driving as fast as they can to the west towards the safer areas, if you'd like, of the country, perhaps towards Poland, which is three or four or five hours drive from from here. You can see it's almost a constant stream of traffic the residents of this country moving out towards the west, the opposite direction of of Russia."