11:25 AM PDT, April 4, 2022
Ukraine was hit in a large-scale attack by Russia on Feb. 24, marking the beginning of an invasion that has yet to cease. Russian forces entered the country on multiple fronts as explosions were heard in the capital city of Kyiv and other locations.
Since then, at least 24,000 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been displaced.
At the start of in the invasion, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy tweeted that Russian forces were attempting to seize control of the Chernobyl Nuclear Power Plant. “Russian occupation forces are trying to seize the Chernobyl [Nuclear Power Plant]. Our defenders are sacrificing their lives so that the tragedy of 1986 will not be repeated,” Zelenskyy tweeted. "This is a declaration of war against the whole of Europe."
Later in the day, Ukrainian presidential office advisor Mykhailo Podolyak told Reuters the Chernobyl nuclear power plant had in fact been captured by Russian forces. "It is impossible to say the Chernobyl nuclear power plant is safe after a totally pointless attack by the Russians," he said.
"This is one of the most serious threats in Europe today," Podolyak said.
Reports of casualties and people fleeing to seek safety began to come in not long after the invasion began, United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees said. "We're gravely concerned about the fast-deteriorating situation and ongoing military actions in Ukraine," the agency tweeted. "Civilian lives and civilian infrastructure must be protected and safeguarded at all times."
How the invasion has so far unfolded, and how the world at large is responding, are what follows.
A Refugee Crisis Emerges Out of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 24,000 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been displaced.
Pictured above, people, mainly women and children, make their way through Medyka, Poland, border crossing after journeying from war-torn Ukraine on April 4.
A Refugee Crisis Emerges Out of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 24,000 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been displaced.
Pictured above, a woman who fled Ukraine waits with her dog at the central registration office for Ukrainian refugees in Mecklenburg-Vorpommern for the issuance of her official proof of arrival on May 4. Approximately 100 refugees are to be brought to Schwerin daily to have their personal and biometric data recorded.
A Refugee Crisis Emerges Out of the Russian Invasion of Ukraine
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 24,000 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been displaced.
Pictured above, Ukrainian refugee Larissa Shpadinska on April 4 shows a photo of her husband, who stayed behind and is now fighting with Ukrainian armed forces against the invading Russian army. Shpadinska and her three children call a former hotel in Berlin, Germany, their temporary home.
Shpadinska said she fled her hometown located near Kherson in southern Ukraine with her children the day the Russian military invaded on Feb. 24. Among those who stayed behind is also her sister in Kherson, who is unable to leave because of the current Russian occupation.
Shpadinska said her children experienced the booms of exploding Russian bombs and are emotionally traumatized.
A total of approximately 300 Ukraine refugees currently live at the former Upstalsboom hotel, where they are cared for by local volunteers from two Berlin charities, including Unionhilfswerk. Among the refugees are many children, some of whom are now attending schools in the neighborhood. Germany has taken in approximately 300,000 Ukraine refugees and is distributing those choosing to remain in Germany across the country.
Lviv, Ukraine, Serves as a Relative Haven Amid Russia's Increasing Attacks
Since Russia's invasion of Ukraine, at least 24,000 people have been killed and at least 10 million people have been displaced.
Pictured above, Elena Kravchenko (left) and Yulia Slobudchikova sit on a bed together in a shelter for displaced people after having to flee their hometown of Dnipro on April 4 in Lviv, Ukraine. Lviv has served as a stopover and shelter for the millions of Ukrainians fleeing the Russian invasion, either to the safety of nearby countries or the relative security of western Ukraine.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Solidarity With His People Endures
Ukraine President Volodymyr Zelenskyy is seen during his walk in the town of Bucha, just northwest of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv on April 4. Zelenskyy said the day before that Russian leadership was responsible for civilian killings in Bucha, where bodies were found lying in the street after the town was retaken by the Ukrainian army.
President Volodymyr Zelenskyy's Solidarity With His People Endures
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy accompanied by Ukrainian soldiers, speaks to press during his visit at the town of Bucha, after it was liberated from Russian Army on April 4.
Destroying Items From an Intelligence Building
Military personnel throw items into a fire outside an intelligence building on Feb. 24 in Kyiv.
Kyiv Hit in Russia's Large-Scale Attack on Ukraine
Smoke rises from outside an intelligence building on Feb. 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Ukrainians Attempt to Flee Kyiv
Cars sit at a standstill as people try to leave the city on Feb. 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels.
Ukrainians Try to Leave Kyiv by Any Means Necessary
People hitchhike and wait for buses as people try to leave the city on Feb. 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine
Ukrainians Wear Their Opposition for All to See
People walk in a park wearing Ukrainian flags and singing the Ukrainian national anthem on Feb. 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Evidence of the Attack on Ukraine
A man looks at the remains of a rocket as it is cleared away on the back of a truck on Feb. 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Evidence on the Attack on Ukraine
People stand around a damaged structure caused by a rocket on Feb. 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Trying to Get to Safety
People board a bus as they attempt to evacuate the city on Feb. 24 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Trying to Get to Safety
People wait for trains at a train station as they attempt to evacuate the city on Feb. 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Following the News From a Bomb Shelter
Local residents follow the news on their mobile devices in a bomb shelter on February 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine.
Kyiv's Independence Square Appears to Be a Ghost Town Amid Invasion
A general view of a near empty Independence Square on February 24, 2022 in Kyiv.
Russian and Ukrainian Forces Battling for Control of Airbase
Smoke rises near the town of Hostomel and the Antonov Airport, in northwest Kyiv on Feb. 24. Russian and Ukrainian forces are battling for control of an airbase on the northern outskirts of Kyiv, a senior Ukrainian officer said, as dozens of attack helicopters swooped on the area.
Residents Near the Battle for Airbase Control
Local residents walk in a street as smoke rises near the town of Hostomel and the Antonov Airport, in northwest Kyiv on Feb. 24.
Ukrainian Soldiers at the Ready
Ukrainian servicemen stand on the north of Kyiv on Feb. 24.
Signs of War
Ukrainian servicemen stand near an armored personnel carrier BTR-3 on the northwest of Kyiv on Feb. 24.
Ukraine Braces Itself for the Worst
Ukrainian Military Forces servicemen block a road in the so-called government quarter in Kyiv on Feb. 24 as Russia's ground forces invaded Ukraine from several directions, encircling the country within hours of Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing his decision to launch an assault.
Protests in Turkey
Members of the Ozgur-Der association and citizens of Ukraine gathered in front of the Russian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Feb. 24 to protest the military operation launched by Russia against Ukraine.
Protests in Turkey
Members of the Ozgur-Der association and citizens of Ukraine gathered in front of the Russian Consulate in Istanbul, Turkey, on Feb. 24 to protest the military operation launched by Russia against Ukraine.
Protests in Germany
A participant of a demonstration against the war in Ukraine, displays a poster with the inscription "Hands off" in front of the Brandenburg Gate in Berlin, Germany.
Protests in Spain
Demonstrators hold placards reading "Putin, stop the war" and European Union and Ukrainian flags during a protest against Russia's military operation in Ukraine, in front of the European Commission regional office in Barcelona on Feb. 24.
Protests in the U.S.
Demonstrators march to the White House to protest against the rising tensions between Russia and Ukraine on Feb. 20, in Washington, D.C. Attendees called for U.S. President Joe Biden to take a stronger stance on deterring Russia from invading Ukraine and demanded the end of Russia's occupation of Crimea.
Protests in the U.S.
Demonstrators gather at the White House on Feb. 20 in Washington, D.C. Attendees called for U.S. President Joe Biden to take a stronger stance on deterring Russia from invading Ukraine and demanded the end of Russia's occupation of Crimea.
Protests Break Out in Russia
Protests erupt in several Russian cities against Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including his hometown of St. Petersburg, along with attempts from police to forcibly suppress them.
The photo above shows police detaining a demonstrator holding a sign with a message reading "No To War" during an unsanctioned antiwar protest in central St Petersburg.
Protests Break Out in Russia
People stage an anti-war demonstration, following Russia's military operation in Ukraine, on Feb. 24, in St. Petersburg. Security forces intervened and detained some of protestors in the demonstration.
Protests Break Out in Russia
Demonstrators are seen during an unsanctioned anti-war protest in central St. Petersburg.
Protests Break Out in Russia
People stage an anti-war demonstration, following Russia's military operation in Ukraine, on Feb. 24 in St. Petersburg.
Some Protesters in Russia Detained
Protests erupt in several Russian cities against Putin's invasion of Ukraine, including his hometown of St. Petersburg. There, security forces intervened and detained some of protesters in the demonstration.
Some Protesters in Russia Detained
Riot police are seen during an unsanctioned anti-war protest in central St. Petersburg.
Anti-War Protesters Speak Out During Demonstrations in Russia
Demonstrators are seen during an unsanctioned anti-war protest in central St. Petersburg.
Some Protesters in Russia Detained
A riot police officer and detained demonstrators are seen during an unsanctioned anti-war protest in central St. Petersburg.