KYIV: Shortly after Russia declared war on Ukraine and began its invasion, Ukraine has announced that it will retaliate strongly. ‘This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now’, said Ukraine’s External Affairs Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

The Ukrainian army has begun its retaliatory actions. Martial law has been imposed in the country. Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said in a Facebook post that Russia was attacking his country's military infrastructure, but urged citizens not to panic and vowed victory. Russia is targeting military bases in the country. The Ukraine military has shot down five Russian planes and a Russian helicopter in the Luhansk region. Meantime, Russia is continuing its attack on the land, air and naval bases. The Ukraine home ministry has confirmed that the capital city of Kyiv was attacked by cruise and ballistic missiles. Russia is implementing a multi-pronged attack plan.

Ukraine has sought the world’s help to counter the Russian attacks. President Volodymyr Zelensky spoke with US President Joe Biden. Ukraine has urged world nations to impose tougher sanctions on Russia, isolate Russia and provide financial assistance, weapons and humanitarian assistance.