TOPIC: The Day After Russia Invaded Ukraine: A Timeline

 In continuation of a previous post, we break down the often confusing timeline of the days following the initial Russian invasion of Ukraine, covering from 15:31 (GMT) on the February 24th, 2022.

A Continued Russian Advance - 24th February

We continue our timeline at 15:56 on February 24th, when a report came in from a key advisor of the Ukrainian President Zelenskyy, stating that 40 Ukrainian soldiers had been killed and dozens of soldiers injured following the advance of Russian soldiers into Ukraine. 

At 17:03, the Ukrainian ambassador in the United States came out with a statement saying that "the combat spirit of the Ukrainian military is high. We are fighting, we will be fighting - not only our brave and motivated military but all Ukrainians." 

By 17:17, mass demonstrations against the war had erupted in several major Russian cities (40 cited locations), including Moscow the capital and Saint Petersburg, the birth place of President Vladimir Putin. More than 650 people were reported to be detained, with the protests noteworthy, considering the especially draconian approach President Putin has taken to any form of protest to his rule. This came after earlier in the day, more than 180 municipal deputies from cities across Russia condemned Putin's decision to invade Ukraine. Two other open letters by 240 journalists and 260 scientists also condemned the move. 

A anti-war protestor being arrested in Moscow, Russia.

International condemnation of the Russian invasion grew throughout the day. At 17:52, Indian President Narendra Modi joined the chorus, calling Putin to demand the end of violence in Ukraine.

By 18:00 it was more bad news for Ukraine. The infamous Chernobyl nuclear power plant was confirmed as captured by Russian forces. Not too long later, it was also stated by western intelligence that Russia likely now had complete aerial superiority.

By 19:38 a swathe of new sanctions, export controls and actions were announced by American President Joe Biden. This included freezing all Russian assets in the United States as well as targeting Russian banks, moves co-ordinated with Biden's European allies. Belarussian individuals and entities were also targeted. Biden also went on to state that 7,000 American soldiers were being moved to Germany to back up NATO's eastern flank. Biden was firm in stating that American soldiers would not be deployed in Ukraine, but was equally unambiguous in declaring that should Russia over-step and enter NATO territory, America would defend "every inch". At this point it is important to note that President Biden also suggested that he believed President Putin aspires to far more advances than simply in to Ukraine. 

At 20:07, French Foreign Minister, Jean-Yves Le Drian said it was understood that Putin was threatening the use of nuclear weapons, should NATO become involved in the conflict. To this, Jean-Yves Le Drian noted, 'Vladimir Putin must also understand that the Atlantic alliance is a nuclear alliance. That is all I will say about this.'

At 20:18 an act of incredible defiance was reported from the Ukrainian Zmiinyi Island. The Ukrainian defenders were confronted with a demand by a Russian military warship to lay down their arms and surrender. An audio recording showed a brief discussion by the 13 Ukrainian defenders, including what sounded like females soldiers, before they replied, "Russian warship, go fuck yourselves." All of the defenders were shortly killed in a subsequent bombardment. President Zelenskyy praised their sacrifice.

By 20:57 it was reported that over 100,000 Ukrainians had fled their homes, whilst Russian forces were said to be closing in on Kiev, despite Ukrainian troops bravely retaking a key airfield that had been previously seized by Russian paratroopers. At this location fierce fighting had endured throughout the day, with Hostomel airport subject to air and artillery attacks from the Ukrainians in order to retake it. The airport is of particular significance due to its potential to act as a staging post for a Russian advance on Kiev. 

In a ominous announcement at 22:44, it was declared illegal for all men aged between 18-60 years to leave Ukraine. Ukraine's border force stated the measure was aimed at "guaranteeing Ukraine's defence and the organisation of a timely mobilisation."

Civilians arm to defend Kiev.

22:59, President Zelenskyy of Ukraine ordered a general mobilisation. All Ukrainians who can carry arms are being urged to take them up to defend their homeland. Conscripts and reservists are also being called up. 

In another sombre announcement at 23:43, President Zelenskyy stated that "the enemy has designated me as the target number one, and my family as the target number two." Western intelligence agencies seem to suggest this could indeed be the case. Despite this, the President said he is determined to stay in Kiev and fight on. 

February 25th, 2022: The War Intensifies

01:20, Japan, Australia and Taiwan agree to increase sanctions on Russia. This replicated earlier sentiments by Canada.

03:04, several large explosions were heard over Kiev. Some were reported to be cruise missile attacks, but a Russian jet was also said to be bought down above the capital, crashing near a house at 7a Koshytsia street. 

Defenders in the long grass outside Kiev.

03:10, more sanctions by the EU, said to target the financial sector, energy, transport and visas for the Russian elite. The adopted measures are said to make it impossible for Russia to buy technology to upgrade its oil refineries or to acquire spare parts for aircraft. 

05:06, video footage showed intense gun battles in the North-Eastern city of Sumy. The town of Konotop was now also said to be encircled. Bridges were reported to being blown up by Ukrainian forces to slow the Russian advance on Kiev. 

At 05:53, President Zelenskyy made another desperate plea for help. He questioned whether the sanctions announced had been enough, asking, "Was Russia convinced by yesterday's sanctions? We hear in our sky and see on our earth that this was not enough."

In an extraordinary interview at 07:39, Ukrainian MP Sviatoslav Yurash stated that should the Ukrainian military fail, he was staring at his personal AK-47 rifle. "We will fight with everything we have." He said. 

By 10:27, previous restrictions on age were dropped for recruitment in to the Ukrainian defence forces. Defence Minister Alexey Reznikov called for "Patriots over 60 years old, who are morally and physically ready to resist and defeat the enemy." The official Ukrainian Defence's Force twitter called on all recruits, stating, "There are no age restrictions."

11:11, reports from Dnipro in central Ukraine and the nearby settlement of Pavlograd of Ukrainian forces and workmen laying concrete blocks and sandbags in ahead of a suspected Russian advance.

12:18, growing pressure on Russia internationally as it was stripped of the Russian Formula One Grand Prix for the coming season. This followed the moving of the Champions League Final from St Petersburg. Other sports have cancelled events and the International Olympic Committee has backed these moves. Russia was later in the day banned from Eurovision. 

12:55, Russia claims that around 200 Ukrainian forces were killed as it finally took the Hostomel airfield. Previously the airport had been siezed by Russian paratroopers before they too were repelled. Not too long later, the northern city of Chernhiv was reported to be completely surrounded. 

The routes of the Russian attack on Kyiv, the capital.

14:04, The situation becomes more desperate in Kiev. 18,000 machine guns are said to be handed out to civilians as young Ukrainians hide in the long grass by the city with anti-tank weapons. A leaflet detailing the creation of Molotov cocktails to counter the Russian advances were also posted online, with Ukrainians taking up arms on mass to defend their homes. 

14:50, Putin, perhaps in an indication of his surprise at the scale of the Ukrainian resistance, has called on the Ukrainian military to turn on its leadership, naming them as "drug addicts" and "neo-Nazi's." These accusations are of course ridiculous, particularly so when considering the Ukrainian President is Jewish, with family members who perished in the Nazi Holocaust. 

16:11, A Ukrainian orphanage was hit by heavy Russian shelling. The orphanage in Vorzel, a small town 40km from Kiev houses 50 casualties. Fortunately there were no casualties, but Russian shells did kill several when they struck a Ukrainian hospital in the region of Donetsk. 

16:20, Russia issued another threat to Europe, stating that if Sweden or Finland were to join NATO it would spark a Russian response. This threat provoked a strong response in both Sweden and Finland, who are both EU members and defended their right to join the alliance should they so wish. 

18:09, The UK announced it was to sanction President Vladimir Putin directly, as well as his Foreign Minister, Sergei Lavrov. The UK also urged other nations to back the banning of Russia from the swift payment system. The US and France are said to be in favour of these measures, with Germany and Italy attempting to halt these sanctions. 

19:21, There is no doubt now that Russian forces are near the capital, though their advance has been stymied by stiff resistance from the Ukrainians. Mayor and former heavyweight boxing champion, Vitali Klitschko stated artillery, gunfire and five large explosions are heard nearby. The night he said, would be "very difficult."

A Klitschko brother stands over a machinegun in Ukraine.

To have continued access to live reporting as events develop, please check out: 

https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/live/world-europe-60517447

OR

https://www.aljazeera.com/news/2022/2/24/russian-troops-advancing-closer-to-kyiv-us-says-liveblog