Ukraine's President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law on Thursday morning, asking civilians to remain calm in the face of Russian military actions. In a short video message, Zelensky stated that Russia has launched a specific military operation in the Donbas region and is attacking its military infrastructure and border guards. 

"We are imposing martial law across our entire country," Zelensky stated in a statement. He also stated that he spoke with US Vice President Joe Biden and that Washington has begun organising international assistance. "Today, each of you should maintain your composure. If at all possible, stay at home. We're hard at work. The army is hard at work. The entire defence and security sector is operational "he added.

"The objective of Russia's offensive military operation is to destroy the Ukrainian state, capture Ukrainian land by force, and impose rule through occupation," Ukraine's Foreign Ministry stated in a statement.

Russian troops are attacking Ukrainian cities from a various directions including the temporarily controlled Donbas and Crimea, as well as the northeastern region. "This is a war crime, an attack on Ukraine's sovereignty and territorial integrity, a flagrant violation of the United Nations Charter and fundamental norms and principles of international law," the ministry stated.

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