Ukraine will defend itself and will win: Kiev in response to Russian invasion

The Ukrainian air defense shot down Russian planes and Kyiv said "situation remains under control" as it also urged the world to swiftly issue sanctions against Moscow and isolate it.

According to the Joint Forces Command, "five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down in the area of the Armed Forces today".

Calling it "a worthy rebuff" to the Russian aggression, it said "The enemy suffers losses".

As Putin was making his announcement earlier, loud explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv and other areas of Ukraine.

Air sirens went off in the background of many live reports on TV, indicating that the city was under attack. Ukrainian Minister of Foreign Affairs Dmytro Kuleba said his country will defend itself from Putin's “war of aggression”, as diplomatic steps were enhanced by Ukraine with other partners for aid and assistance.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky said he spoke to US president Joe Biden, German Chancellor Olaf Scholz, EU Council president Charles Michel, Poland President Andrzej Duda, and British PM Boris Johnson.

"Urge to stop Putin, war against Ukraine & the world immediately! Building an anti-Putin coalition. Immediate sanctions, defense and financial support to Kyiv! Close the airspace! The world must force Russia into peace," Zelensky said.

Zelensky earlier held talks with his US counterpart, Joe Biden, as the White House began preparing the international assistance.

"A minute ago I had a conversation with President Biden. The United States has already begun to prepare international assistance," Zelensky said in his address to his citizens.

The Ukrainian armed forces has posted a statement saying that the Russian military began "intensive shelling" of its units in the east of the country.

Russia also launched missile strikes on Boryspil airport near Kyiv and several other airports, the statement said.

The Ukrainian air force is fighting off air attacks by Russia. A BBC report quoted a Kyiv statement that denied reports about Russian paratroopers in the southern port city of Odessa.

According to the BBC, the Ukrainian government has given an indication of the breadth of the Russian military action so far.

There have been cruise missile strikes launched early morning on Kyiv, as well as troop movements in Odessa to the south of the country.

Troops have also been crossing the border in Kharkiv, about 25 miles from the Russian border, the official said.