NEW DELHI: The inevitable has happened. After repeated denial of any plans to invade Ukraine Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised an all-out invasion of its neighbouring country Ukraine. 

Russian military helicopters were hovering over cities like Kyiv as they conducted airstrikes and explosions were heard in many parts of the city. On the other hand, a small in numbers yet highly resilient Ukrainian forces battled with invading ground forces on several fronts.

Putin has been deploying heavy buildup of troops on Ukraine borders for several months even as he has demanded rollback of US and NATO forces from Eastern Europe and guarantees from the West that NATO would not accept Ukraine and other former Soviet nations as members.

In an online video, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy announced that Russia had invaded its Eastern Borders and has carried out missile strikes on Ukrainian territory and the country's border guards.

Zelenskyy vowed to defend his nation and called on his citizens to fight for the nation, announcing that weapons will be issued to everyone who is ready to fight the invaders.

Although the exact number of casualties has not been confirmed, however, dozens of deaths have been reported from Kyiv which include more than 40 troops and up to 10 civilians.

Zelenskyy has announced that martial law had been declared across the country and that he had spoken by phone to the US president, Joe Biden to rally support for his nation. Zelenskyy also appealed to world leaders saying that if they do not offer help to Ukraine today then the war will knock on their door tomorrow.

Late in the evening, Biden said that Putin had chosen this path of war and he will have to bear the consequences of very harsh sanctions that the West and its allies will impose on Russia.  

Over the weeks it had become apparent that Russia would invade Ukraine anytime as two days ago Putin had unilaterally recognized two separatist regions in Ukraine, Donetsk and Luhansk as independent countries by signing a decree and declaring them allies after which he ordered Russian troops, tanks, and artillery into the country.