Ukraine shot down multiple planes and helicopters and destroyed tanks, causing significant losses to Russia as military forces crossed the border Thursday, a Ukrainian official claimed.
The Russians are facing serious damages due to the invasion, including the loss of at least five planes, two helicopters, and five tanks, Ukrainian Defense Minister Oleksii Reznikov said on Thursday while urging Ukrainians to take up arms.
“Tens, if not hundreds, of bodies are returning to Russia,” Reznikov said in a video message from Kyiv, Ukraine’s capital.
UKRAINIANS ‘LINING UP TO COLLECT GUNS’ AS RUSSIAN INVASION UNDERWAY
Ukrainians have been encouraged to take up arms as part of the struggle to defend their land from the Russian invasion, with Ukrainians seen lining up to get guns on Thursday. The United States and other allies of Ukraine have aided the country by supplying modern weapons in a “lethal aid package” that included an anti-tank missile system and a Stinger missile system, which helps take down helicopters.
Reznikov additionally called for other citizens of Ukraine to join the Ukrainian military, noting the country has made it easier to enlist due to the war, according to the Washington Post. However, the Ukrainian parliament passed a law Wednesday making it legal for Ukrainians to carry guns outside their houses without enlisting in the military.
Ukraine reportedly has 400,000 people with combat experience, and others have been preparing for the Russian invasion by teaching themselves and relatives to fight and shoot. The Ukrainian military has approximately 260,000 soldiers, according to the Guardian.
The efforts have been met with some success, with a spokesperson for Ukraine’s Ministry of Foreign Affairs, Oleg Nikolenko, tweeting the Ukrainian military has taken at least two Russian soldiers as prisoners.
Ukrainian Ambassador to the U.S. Oksana Markarova affirmed Ukrainians are prepared to join the fight.
“We are fighting. We will be fighting. We, not only our brave and motivated military but all Ukrainians. We are protecting our homes and we will not stop,” Markarova said at a press conference in Washington, D.C.
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There have been some indications the Russian people are not uniformly behind the invasion. Antiwar demonstrations have proliferated within Russia, and Marakova said one Russian platoon surrendered to Ukraine because the troops were not aware they would be killing Ukrainians, according to NBC News.
The Russians have fired over 100 missiles and sent 75 bombers on the first day of their invasion, according to U.S. officials. Over 57 Ukrainians have died so far.
