Russia launches full-scale invasion of Ukraine

SHAH ALAM - Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine and is targeting cities with weapons strikes, according to Ukraine Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.

In a series of Tweets at around 12 noon Malaysian time, Kuleba said “peaceful Ukrainian cities” were under strikes.

“This is a war of aggression,” he said.

Kuleba said Ukraine will defend itself and insisted that they will win.

He stressed that the world “can and must” stop Russian President Vladamir Putin.

“The time to act is now.

“The world must act immediately. Future of Europe and (the) world is at stake,” he said.

Kuleba, in a tweet, even posted a “to do list”.

The list includes swift and immediate “devastating” sanctions on Russia and fully isolates Russia by all means and formats.

Kuleba also sought assistance to equip Ukraine with weapons and equipment as well as financial and humanitarian assistance.

Earlier, AFP reported the Ukrainian leader Volodymyr Zelensky said Thursday that Russia was attacking his country's "military infrastructure" and border guards, but urged citizens not to panic and vowed victory.

In a video message posted on Facebook after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a military operation against Ukraine, Zelensky also introduced martial law across the country, adding that he had spoken by phone with US President Joe Biden.

"This morning, Russia launched a new military operation against our state," Zelensky said in a separate message posted on the presidential website.

"This is a completely groundless, cynical invasion," he said.

"We, the citizens of Ukraine, have been determining our own future since 1991," he said in reference to the year of the Soviet Union's collapse.

"But now, what is being decided is not only our country's future, but also the future of how Europe will live."