Russia has
launched a full-scale attack on Ukraine drawing a curtain on weeks-long
diplomatic efforts to counter an escalation in violence. Explosions were heard
across cities in Ukraine and at least 137 people have been reported dead and
several hundred more are injured. In Ukraine capital Kyiv, thousands are trying
to flee. Citizens have been forced to spend the night in bomb shelters.

The West has termed
Russia’s aggression in Ukraine, a term that China has vocally decided against
adopting. Moscow has been hit with severe sanctions and the United States and
the UK have threatened even more sanctions if Russia doesn’t desist. Here are
10 things you need to know about the crisis gripping eastern Europe.

1.   
Ukraine
and western nations believe Russia seeks to force a regime change. Ukraine
President Volodymyr Zelensky has said he’s going to stay put in Kyiv even as
Russian forces approach the Ukraine capital.

2.   
The
Ukrainian President said 137 people have been killed in the aggression so far. “Russia
has embarked on a path of pure evil, but Ukraine is defending itself and won’t
give up its freedom,” said Zelensky. Ukraine as also sought more arms to fight
the Russians.

3.   
The
United States has imposed yet another round of sanctions on Russia. US
President Joe Biden, in an address to the nation, said, “Putin is the
aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the
consequences.”

4.   
The
new round of sanctions hurt Russia’s ability to conduct business in dollars,
pounds, euros and yen.

5.   
As
Russian troops made way into Ukraine on February 24, the first targets were
government buildings and military installations. Owing to the attack, Ukraine
was forced to close down its airspace. Russia has closed down its airspace
along the western border.

6.   
NATO,
North Atlantic Treaty Organization, the security alliance at the heart of the
Russia-Ukraine crisis said Moscow has shattered the peace in Europe. NATO
Secretary General Jens Stoltenberg called Russia’s attack “a brutal act of war.”

7.   
The
United Kingdom too has vociferously condemned Russia. “Now we see him for what
he is – a bloodstained aggressor who believes in imperial conquest,” UK Prime
Minister Boris Johnson said of Vladimir Putin.