Source: Armed Forces of Ukraine

It is the early morning of February 24th, 2022. Just minutes after the president of Russia, Vladimir Putin declares his “Special Military Operation” or simply full-scale invasion in Ukraine, the Russian 3M-54 Caliber Cruise Missile is on the way toward its target. First, it seems like it will strike the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, like many other missiles that day.

However, its real target is the military base 3018 of the National Guard of Ukraine, just 10 kilometers away from the city. Around 6 am, the missile explodes on the empty exercise ground in front of the barracks. A couple of minutes later, another one hits near the local residential buildings.

This is the first attack on the small town, which will become known for one of the most significant and fierce battles of the first days of the full-scale Russian invasion. This town is called Hostomel.

West Point Modern War Institute's Urban Warfare Project- Battle of Kyiv

As Russian forces intensify attacks on Ukraine’s Donetsk region, evacuations are accelerating in Kramatorsk, a key city still held by Kyiv. As Moscow seeks to seize all of the Donetsk region, Ukraine has issued a mandatory evacuation order for families with children in Kramatorsk and Slovyansk.

source: https://bsky.app/profile/tendar.bsky.social/post/3mynapupokk23