40 Ukrainian, nearly 50 Russian soldiers killed: Says Kyiv

Russian forces fired missiles at several cities in Ukraine after President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation. Over 40 Ukrainian and 50 Russian soldiers have died. 18 civilians in Ukraine's Odessa were also killed in a missile attack.

Ukraine says it has killed 'around 50 Russian occupiers'. The announcement came hours after Russia's ground forces crossed into Ukraine from several directions.

The Russian defense ministry said it has destroyed air bases, air defenses in Ukraine with precision weapons.

Ukraine claims that it has downed five Russian planes and a helicopter in the east of the country. "According to the Joint Forces Command, today, February 24, in the area of the Joint Forces operation, five planes and a helicopter of the aggressors were shot down," the army general staff said.

Anton Gerashchenko, Ukraine's deputy interior minister, said that Russia has fired missiles on military headquarters, airports, military warehouses near Kyiv, Kharkov and Dnieper.

Local media reported explosions in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Gunfire was also heard near the capital's main airport.