Ukraine claims downing five Russian planes, helicopter 

Kyiv: The Ukrainian military Thursday claimed to have downed five Russian planes and a helicopter in the east of the country near a rebel-held enclave.  

"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," said army general staff.

In the meantime, Russia's defence ministry said it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation.

"Military infrastructure at Ukrainian army air bases has been rendered out of action," the defence ministry said in a statement carried by news agencies, which added that Kyiv's air defence systems were "eliminated".

Ukraine has announced to impose a nationwide state of emergency after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war. 

As per senior Ukrainian security official, the martial law would impose harder restrictions, including ban on meetings, movements and political parties in order to keep the country calm and protect its economy amid fears of a Russian invasion. 

Reportedly, the state of emergency will last for a 30 days and can be extended for another 30 days. 

The state of emergency applies to all of Ukraine except the Donetsk and Luhansk regions, where it has been in place since 2014. 

Earlier today, President Putin ordered an invasion of Ukraine, adding that Moscow does not plan to occupy Ukraine.

Moments after Russia declared war, large explosions were witnessed in the embattled country’s Kyiv and Kharkiv regions.