Ukraine Russia War : Pictures of DESTRUCTIONS | FIRST ON ABP

Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine on Thursday while the UN Security Council was holding an emergency meeting to dissolve the tensions .Shortly after Putin spoke in a special televised address on Russian state TV, explosions could be heard in the Ukrainian capital of Kyiv. Gunfire rattled near the capital's main airport, the Interfax news agency said. Putin said he had authorised a special military operation in breakaway areas of eastern Ukraine and clashes between Russian and Ukrainian forces were only a matter of time. Meanwhile, United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres has made a direct and strong appeal to Russian President Vladimir Putin to stop his troops from attacking Ukraine and "give peace a chance".