Today, my country, my homeland was attacked. The leader of the aggressor state, Vladimir Putin, announced the launch of a "special military operation" in Donbas. Around 4 a.m. on February 24, 2022, Russia invaded Ukraine and started the war.
Map of Ukraine with regions attacked by the Russian forces marked in red
In particular, Russian troops fired rockets at the airports in Boryspol, Ozerny (Zhytomyr), Kulbakin, Chuguev, Kramatorsk, Chernobayevka, as well as at military facilities of the Ukrainian Armed Forces.
The state border of Ukraine with Russia and Belarus was attacked by Russian troops supported by Belarusian troops.
Russian armored vehicles crossed the Ukrainian border in the Chernihiv, Sumy, Luhansk and Kharkiv regions. In addition, attacks are taking place from the temporarily occupied territories of the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, and from the Autonomous Republic of Crimea.
Ukrainian soldiers of all nationalities, including Poles, joined the fight, they signed up as volunteers and were given weapons to fight for their family, children, wives, and parents.
The first day of fighting brought losses to the Russian army. The estimated losses of the enemy are: tanks — over 30 units, armored combat vehicles — up to 130 units, planes — 5, helicopters — 6. On the first day of the Russian invasion of Ukraine, 57 Ukrainians were killed and 169 were injured — Ukrainian Minister of Health Wiktor Laszko announced on Thursday.
“According to the available data, 57 Ukrainian soldiers were killed in the Russian attack. Another 169 were injured,” the website of the Ministry of Health reported.
The feat of the 13 border guards of Żmijny (Snake) Island, who, defending the country, gave their lives and did not surrender to the enemy, is an example of the invincibility of the Ukrainian nation! Eternal memory!
The flag of Ukraine
The lights are turned off in the cities at night, the authorities ask everyone to stay away from the windows. Some people spend the night in the subway or bomb shelters. Children, women and the elderly are leaving Ukraine. The men fight. In Poland, governmental and other organizations support refugees and guarantee accommodation and food. Many Ukrainians stay in the Ukraine, not wanting to leave their relatives, or not being able to afford travel to Poland.
We are already accepting the first refugees at the Polonia House in Warsaw on February 25. The house belongs to the non-governmental organization Polish Community (Wspólnoat Polska). There is fear and terror in the eyes of the arriving children.
The President of Ukraine, Volodymyr Zelensky, said that martial law was being imposed on the entire territory of Ukraine. On February 24 in the morning, the Verkhovna Rada of Ukraine approved the presidential decree introducing martial law throughout Ukraine.
Ukraine should be backed by a strong military force. Please help! If we fail to defend ourselves together, the war will come to all of Europe. We are one step away from World War III! Help us — don't be indifferent.
Translation from Polish by Andrew Woźniewicz.
Photos: Генеральний штаб ЗСУ, Twitter.
