Just after Putin announces Military operation in Ukraine Explosions heard near Kiev’s major airport

            Multiple explosions were reported near Kiev’s major airport shortly after Russia declared a military campaign in Ukraine, according to media sources on Thursday.

According to CNN, numerous explosions have been reported in the Boryspil neighbourhood to the east of the city.

At least two big explosions were reported in the early hours of Thursday, according to the American broadcaster.

Russian President Vladimir Putin announced a unique “military operation” in the Donbas area, warning other nations that any effort to interfere with Russian activity would result in “consequences”.

In an emergency speech, Putin stated that the operation was undertaken to demilitarise Ukraine and defend people from the Kiev regime’s “suffering, persecution, and genocide”.

“I’ve decided to carry out a special military operation. Its purpose will be to protect individuals who have been subjected to persecution and genocide by the Kiev administration for the past eight years. We shall strive for Ukraine’s demilitarisation and de-Nazification in this regard”, Putin asked Ukrainian soldiers to lay down their rifles.

This comes only hours after Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy said that Ukraine is not and will not be a danger to Russia.

Zelenskyy, in an emotive appeal given mostly in Russian, rejected Moscow’s accusations that his country is a threat to Russia and warned that a Russian invasion will cost tens of thousands of deaths.

Following the announcement of the military operation, US Vice President Joe Biden slammed Russia’s activities in the Donbas area of eastern Ukraine.

The US President stated that he is keeping a close eye on the issue from the White House and would meet with the other G7 leaders soon.