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These two maps explain how Russia has launched war in Ukraine

Ukrainian tanks move into Mariupol after Russia launches its invasion. (Getty)
Ukrainian tanks move into Mariupol after Russia launches its invasion. (Getty)

Russia has launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine, sparking condemnation from across the world.

At around 3am UK time, Russian soldiers and tanks moved into the country, striking cities and military bases with airstrikes and missiles.

It comes after days of escalating tensions, with Vladimir Putin formally recognising two breakaway regions in the east of Ukraine, Luhansk and Donetsk, as independent, in a move that paved the way for the invasion.

Ukraine’s government said that Moscow had unleashing a “full-scale war” that could rewrite the geopolitical order and whose fallout has already reverberated around the globe.

Watch: Boris Johnson announces ‘massive’ Russian sanctions in address to nation

Ukrainian president Volodymyr Zelenskyy called for people not to panic and told people to remain in their homes, but also offered weapons to any citizen who wanted to fight.

Dozens of casualties on both sides have already been reported with videos and images of military strikes appearing all over social media.

In a televised address, Boris Johnson condemned Russia and said: "This act of wanton and reckless aggression is an attack not just on Ukraine, it’s an attack on democracy and freedom in eastern Europe and around the world."

Nato’s secretary-general accused Russia and Vladimir Putin of shattering peace on the European continent.

Where has Russia attacked?

Where Russian troops have entered Ukraine. (Reuters)
Where Russian troops have entered Ukraine. (Reuters)

Read more: Ukrainians flee Kyiv under air raid sirens as Russia launches 'full-scale invasion'

The first attacks came in the form of airstrikes and missile strikes in the east of the country, as well as military bases near Kyiv and Kharkiv.

Explosions were also reported in the west of the country in the cities of Lutsk, Lviv and Ivano-Frankivsk.

Soon after there were reports of Russian soldiers entering the parts of Luhansk that were still controlled by Ukraine. Fighting has also been reported near the port city of Mariupol in Ukrainian controlled Donetsk.

Police officers inspect the remains of a missile that fell in the street, after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Police officers inspect the remains of a missile that fell in the street. (Reuters)

Read more: Moment Sky News reporter in Ukraine runs for cover to escape shelling

Odesa, located in the southwest of the country on the Black Sea coast, has also reported explosions and sightings of Russian troops landing nearby.

The Ukrainian military said it had shot down several Russian attack helicopters.

Where are the disputed regions?

Much of Putin's justification for the war has centred around the east of Ukraine, which has a large ethnic Russian population.

On 21 February, Putin recognised two breakaway regions – Luhansk and Donetsk – as independent, which dramatically inflamed tensions with the west and ripped up a 2015 peace agreement.

The heaviest fighting has been in the east of the country. (Reuters)
The heaviest fighting has been in the east of the country. (Reuters)

The two areas declared themselves independent in 2014 when Ukraine replaced its pro-Moscow government with a pro-Europe one.

Intense fighting between Russian backed rebels and Ukraine was halted in late 2014 and the rebels maintained control of about 50% of the total land of both regions.

When Putin recognised the independence of the two republics - which analysts have called Russian puppet states - he also recognised the parts of the areas still in Ukrainian hands.

Cars drive towards the exit of the city after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorized a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine February 24, 2022. REUTERS/Valentyn Ogirenko
Cars drive towards the exit of the city of Kyiv after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised the invasion. (Reuters)

He then swiftly moved in what he called "peacekeepers", including tanks and other military vehicles, to the region.

Since troops moved in on Tuesday there has been fighting on the Luhansk border, with rebels claiming they have captured the towns of Shchastia and Stanytsia just over the border.

There has also been bombing in Mariupol, a major coastal city in Ukrainian held Donetsk.