As Russia launched military aggression in Ukraine today, several places in the country including the capital city Kyiv, Kharkiv and eastern port city of Mariupoland reported blasts carried out by Putin's defence forces.
Videos of the attacks also emerged on social media platforms. Alec Luhn, a former Russia correspondent shared a video of an aerodrome in Kharkiv being destroyed by Russian missiles.
Luhn shared another video of a reported Russian strike at the Kherson airport in Ukraine.
In a third video shared by Luhn on his Twitter handle, a missile could clearly be seen hitting the Ivano-Frankivsk airport in the western part of the country.
Earlier today, Russia claimed to destroy Ukraine airbases and air defences.
"The military infrastructure of Ukrainian military air bases has been put out of action," said the Russian Defence Ministry in a statement reported state-owned media house Sputnik.
In retaliation Ukraine has also said to have shot down five Russian planes and a Russian helicopter in the Luhansk region bordering Russia, reported news agency Reuters.
Putin on Thursday announced 'military operation' in Ukraine to defend separatists in the eastern part of the country. "I have made the decision of a military operation," declared Putin in an address to the nation.
The Russian president also threatened retaliation against anybody challenging Russia's military action in Ukraine.
"Anyone who tries to interfere with us, or even more so, to create threats for our country and our people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead you to such consequences as you have never before experienced in your history," Putin said in the televised address.