Why control of Ukraine international airport crucial
Low-flying aircraft is being heard across Ukraine's capital as Russia claims to have seized the country's international airport.
Ukraine's airspace has been closed to commercial aircraft, meaning the sounds are likely coming from military jets from Russia.
Nine's Europe Correspondent Carrie-Anne Greenbank is on the ground in Kyiv and reported hearing the aircraft a short time ago.
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A night view of Kyiv as Kyiv mayor declared a curfew from 10 pm to 7 am on February 24, 2022 in Kyiv, Ukraine. Overnight, Russia began a large-scale attack on Ukraine, with explosions reported in multiple cities and far outside the restive eastern regions held by Russian-backed rebels. (Photo by Pierre Crom/Getty Images) Getty
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy has been appealing to the European Union for help with air defences, with the Ukrainian ambassador to the UK also pleading for military assistance.
"Because Russian air defences are far superior," Greenbank said.
There are unconfirmed reports Russia has taken the international airport, which Greebank says could spell disaster for Ukraine.
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Nine's Carrie-Anne Greenbank reporting in Kyiv, Ukraine. Nine News
"That is a significant concern for Kyiv, because US officials had been warning that Russia plans to encircle Kyiv and essentially force a change of government.
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"If Russia now has control of a major airport, very close to Kyiv, it can fly troops in and get that underway much quicker than it otherwise could have."
The Chernobyl Power Plant has also fallen to Russian troops, President Zelenskyy said.
A view of the ghost town of Pripyat with a shelter covering the exploded reactor at the Chernobyl nuclear plant in the background. (AP Photo/Efrem Lukatsky)
"He has confirmed that Russia has seized control of that," Greenbank added.
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More explosions have also been heard on the ground following yesterday's invasion.
"Just a few moments ago, we have heard more loud explosions, again in the distance but to the other side that we heard them last time here in Kyiv," she said.
It comes hours after Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine on Thursday (Friday morning AEDT), hitting cities and bases with airstrikes or shelling, as civilians piled into trains and cars to flee.
Ukraine's government has pleaded for help as it said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a "full-scale war" that could rewrite the geopolitical order.
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