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A Ukrainian soldier stands next to a military vehicle on a road in Kramatosrk, eastern Ukraine VADIM GHIRDA

Russian invasion of Ukraine: Here are the main points to know

Russian troops have captured the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant this evening after a battle with Ukraine’s defence.

A WAR IS happening in Ukraine after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced an attack on the country.

Putin launched a broad Russian military offensive targeting Ukraine at about 5am local time (3am Irish time).

Weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia failed to deter Putin from invading.

Russia had massed between 150,000 and 200,000 troops along the borders of Ukraine in recent weeks but had denied an invasion was imminent.

Explosions can be heard across Ukraine today and its foreign minister has warned that a “full-scale invasion” is underway.

The situation is evolving quickly. 

Here’s how it started this morning:

  • The invasion began at around 5am local time (3am Irish time). Explosions have occurred in major cities including the capital Kyiv as well as Odessa, Mariupol, Kharkiv and Dnipro.
  • At around 7am local time (5am Irish time), Russian-backed separatist rebels were reported to be attacking Ukrainian positions around the self-proclaimed republics in Luhansk and Donetsk.
  • Here is a timeline of some of the crucial moments from the last few months ahead of today’s invasion.

This is what’s happened in Ukraine since: 

  • Ukraine has imposed martial law. According to the decree, martial law is imposed from 5.30am (local time) today for a period of 30 days.
  • A US defense official told AFP that it believes Russia’s invasion is aimed at capturing Kyiv to remove the country’s leaders and replace them. 
  • Russian troops have captured the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant this evening after a battle with Ukraine’s defence.
  • In a scathing national address, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said Russia attacked this morning “just like fascist Germany did during the Second World War”.
  • At least 10 civilians have died in bombings by Russian forces, including at least one child, Ukrainian police said earlier today. Ukraine’s military command said government forces had killed “around 50 Russian occupiers”. 
  • Flights have been instructed to avoid Ukraine’s airspace amid cancellations of flights in and out of the country.
  • Russia claims it has destroyed 70 military targets in Ukraine, including 11 airfields, three command posts, and 18 radar stations.
  • Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky has vowed to retake an airfield close to the capital Kyiv captured by Russian forces.
  • The mayor of Kyiv has announced that an overnight curfew will be imposed from 10pm to 7am local time. Public transport will not run but metro stations will stay open to serve as bomb shelters. 

Here’s how the world is responding:

  • The West has condemned the invasion and said fresh sanctions on Russia are imminent.
  • The European Union has summoned the Russian ambassador to the EU to convey its “strongest condemnation” of the attack.
  • In Moscow and St Petersburg, police have arrested anti-war protesters.
  • US president Joe Biden is announced further sanctions and export controls against Russia. He vowed to defend “every inch” of NATO territory but reiterated that American troops will not be deployed to Ukraine.
  • The African Union has condemned Russia’s attack and called for an “immediate ceasefire”.
  • Uefa is preparing contingency plans to take the Champions League final away from St Petersburg.
  • French President Emmanuel Macron spoke to Russian President Vladimir Putin by phone tonight to “demand the immediate halt of Russian military operations, noting that Russia risked massive sanctions”.

And here’s what’s happening in Ireland:

  • Taoiseach Micheál Martin said the invasion is an “outrageous breach of the fundamental principles of international law”. This evening, he arrived in Brussels for a special meeting of the European Council.
  • Ireland is to waive visa requirements for all Ukrainian people who travel here.
  • Ukrainians are protesting outside Leinster House, calling on the government to take action against Russia.
  • The cost of gas and food prices are likely to rise in Ireland as the conflict escalates.
  • The Department of Foreign Affairs has updated its advice, urging Irish citizens in Ukraine to shelter in a secure place or leave the country if safe to do so.
  • Foreign Affairs Minister Simon Coveney said: “Ireland is a neutral country, we’re militarily non-aligned, but we are certainly not neutral on an issue like this, when there is blatant aggression happening on the continent of Europe.”
  • Nikita Isakin, Press Attaché of Russia’s Dublin Embassy told The Journal ”it’s a difficult time”, adding: “God help us.”
  • Security expert Tom Clonan has written analysis saying that this war will test European values in a manner not seen since the 1940s.

Additional reporting by Lauren Boland, Jane Moore and AFP

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    Mute Emer Caffrey
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:50 PM

    Absolutely senseless crime, a wonderful man gone for no reason, tragic RIP

    539
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    Mute Canyon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:17 PM

    @Emer Caffrey: Gemma O Doherty tweeted about it….she is some piece of work…

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    Mute Chrissy Beanz
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:17 PM

    I would just like to say; Last night, when YOU were sleeping soundly in your bed in our sanctuary which is the well-policed Republic of Ireland, Colm Horkan gave his life for YOU. In honor of that sacrifice and to acknowledge the mettle and gallantry of all our Gardai, it is time for YOU to KNEEL and PRAY.
    Chris Buchan

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    Mute Negan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:23 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: not a time to be forcing your religious values on others Chris.

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    Mute Ed Kelly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:29 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: we can pay our respects without kneeling and praying but each to their own I guess.

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    Mute Daniel Andrews
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:01 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: what will praying do?

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:52 PM

    To the nit-picking simpletons: you should acknowledge the man’s sacrifice before you throw up your precious little quibbles.

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    Mute Arch Angel
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    Jun 18th 2020, 3:43 PM

    @Chrissy Beanz: My deepest sympathies to his family, friends and colleagues at this time. What a self serving thing to say, to use this poor man’s death to further your religious agenda. You ought to be ashamed.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:35 PM

    @Martello Mulligan: I’m sure guards don’t sign up to sacrifice anything for anyone. We have a relatively peaceful country, and no one should be expected to be killed. The nonsense being put out there is as if we’re living in constant fear or a way zone. Until we know better, this was an accident, and we need to stop the calls for capital punishment until the facts emerge.

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    Mute Martello Mulligan
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    Jun 18th 2020, 5:26 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: an accident??? Who said guards sign up for sacrifice??? Focus, my friend.

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    Mute Seomra Ban
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    Jun 18th 2020, 6:05 PM

    @Brynþór Patrekursson: a 5 shot accident?

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    Mute Stephen Kearon
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:25 PM

    Absolutely horrific crime, there should be only one sentence for capital murder, and its not the one that wastes tax payers money year after year

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    Mute Nolan Spare
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:10 PM

    @Stephen Kearon: Probably will only be charged with manslaughter.

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    Mute Peter Hughes
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    Jun 18th 2020, 12:53 PM

    Shocking alright…..some lunatics out there

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    Mute Patricia O'Reilly
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    Jun 18th 2020, 1:10 PM

    Omg how awful, his poor family. God love him. Rip.

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    Mute Robbie Graham
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:03 PM

    Incredibly sad and scarcely believable. Condolences to his family, friends and community. RIP Garda Horkan.

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    Mute Nioe
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    Terrible news. Hopefully his needless loss will be a turning point when the justice system starts to stand up against crime and protect our citizens.

    The law has for too long protected the criminals and this coin has gone lawless.

    Guaranteed whoever committed this crime has a massive criminal record and would not be on the streets if there was a functional justice system with proper sentencing….

    RIP

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    Mute Jane Alford
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:35 PM

    It’s beyond time where firearms are designed to only able to be fired by the individual the gun is signed out to. The grips need to be digitized. The technology is available, about time it is used.

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    Mute John J. Smith
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:48 PM

    @Jane Alford: The Gardai have always been under resourced and even some stations haven’t even a computer or wiFi. It would be unlikely that money would be allocated for your excellent idea.

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    Mute Brynþór Patrekursson
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    Jun 18th 2020, 4:37 PM

    @John J. Smith: detective Horkan was last year supporting calls for increased spend on tazers and vests. Ironically, it would have saved his life.

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    Mute Seán Maguire
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    Jun 18th 2020, 2:32 PM

    Terrible tragedy condolences to his family, colleagues and community.

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    Mute Liam McGrath
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    Jun 19th 2020, 2:34 AM

    Patrick heard 5 shots, not a very credible witness, because it was later reported that there was 15 shots fired. I think he’s telling porkies.

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