Newsflare members capture the military and human angles of this developing story.

Explosions and missile strikes have been reported near major cities in Ukraine today (February 24) as Russian forces launch a major military assault. In a televised statement earlier on Thursday morning, Russian leader Vladimir Putin said he was not planning to occupy Ukraine and called on its military to lay down their weapons.

Newsflare has been sourcing and verifying compelling user-generated videos from around Ukraine showing the early stages of this assault and the human impact on the local population.

"Please take me on the bus, all the other buses aren't going anywhere, please take me," begs an elderly woman wanting to escape Kyiv.

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Explosions near Ukrainian airport due to Russian attack

Blast rocks Ukrainian city of Ivano-Frankivsk hours after Russia launches invasion

Explosions heard in Kharkiv City as Russia attacks Ukraine

Elderly Ukrainian woman begs for bus driver to take her out of Kyiv

Residents seen panic-buying at supermarket in Ivano-Frankivsk as Russia launches attack on Ukraine