Russian President Vladimir Putin announced  a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday to defend separatists in the east of the country, called the Donbas region.

Russia said Thursday that its military had destroyed more than 70 military targets including 11 airfields in Ukraine.

World leaders on Thursday condemned the Russian invasion of Ukraine, with Western capitals vowing to escalate sanctions against Moscow while the head of the United Nations demanded the conflict end immediately.

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Ukrainian servicemen get ready to repel an attack in Ukraine's Lugansk region on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives in the pro-Western neighbour.  (Photo by Anatolii STEPANOV / AFP)

A mother and her child play as they take shelter in a station in central Kyiv on February 24, 2022. - Russian President launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on February 24, 2022, killing dozens and forcing hundreds to flee for their lives in the pro-Western neighbour. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

Emergencies personnel work at the crash site of a Ukrainian military plane south of Kyiv on February 24, 2022. 

An injured man stands by a vehicle of an Emergency unit to receive medical assistance after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said.. (Photo by Aris Messinis / AFP)

Ukrainian military vehicles move past Independence square in central Kyiv on February 24, 2022. - Air raid sirens rang out in downtown Kyiv today as cities across Ukraine were hit with what Ukrainian officials said were Russian missile strikes and artillery. Russian President announced a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway. (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

A placard featuring an image of Russian President Vladimir Putin and reading "We are with him for the sovereignty of Russia! And you?" is seen left in front of the Russian State Duma building in central Moscow on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin has launched a military operation in Ukraine after weeks of intense diplomacy and the imposition of Western sanctions on Russia that failed to deter him. (Photo by Kirill KUDRYAVTSEV / AFP)

Firefighters work on a fire on a building after bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022, as Russian armed forces are trying to invade Ukraine from several directions, using rocket systems and helicopters to attack Ukrainian position in the south, the border guard service said.  (Photo by Aris Messinis / AFP)

People queue to withdraw money at cash machines in the western Ukrainian city of Lviv on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a military operation in Ukraine on Thursday with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway. (Photo by Yuriy Dyachyshyn / AFP)

Russian President Vladimir Putin meets with Pakistan's Prime Minister Imran Khan at the Kremlin in Moscow on February 24, 2022. (Photo by Mikhail KLIMENTYEV / SPUTNIK / AFP)

The body of a rocket stuck in an apartment building after recent shelling on the northern outskirts of Kharkiv on February 24, 2022. - Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine on Thursday, forcing residents to flee for their lives and leaving at least 40 Ukrainian soldiers and 10 civilians dead.(Photo by Sergey BOBOK / AFP)

People are seen stuck in a huge traffic jam as they try to leave Kyiv in the direction of the western parts of the country on February 24, 2022.  (Photo by GENYA SAVILOV / AFP)

A religious woman holds a cross as she prays on Independence square in Kyiv in the morning of February 24, 2022. Air raid sirens rang out in downtown Kyiv today as cities across Ukraine were hit with what Ukrainian officials said were Russian missile strikes and artillery.  (Photo by Daniel LEAL / AFP)

Tents for people evacuated from separatist-controlled regions in eastern Ukraine are seen near the border check point in Avilo-Uspenka on February 24, 2022. (Photo by Olga MALTSEVA / AFP)

Ukrainians living in Greece demonstrate in central Athens after Russia launched attack on Ukraine, on February 24, 2022.  (Photo by Louisa GOULIAMAKI / AFP)

Ukrainians living in Greece comfort each others in central Athens after Russia launched attack on Ukraine, on February 24, 2022. - Russian President announced a military operation in Ukraine on February 24, 2022, with explosions heard soon after across the country and its foreign minister warning a "full-scale invasion" was underway. (Photo by Louisa GOULIAMAKI / AFP)