In pics: Russian invasion devastates Ukraine

Heartbreaking pictures from Ukraine have surfaced online showing widespread destruction and casualties after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war to "protect civilians" in the eastern European country on February 24. Russia launched an attack on Ukraine on February 24, hitting cities and bases with airstrikes, as locals piled into trains and cars to flee familiar neighbourhoods that turned into a battleground.

Heartbreaking pictures from Ukraine have surfaced online showing widespread destruction and casualties after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared war to

Russian troops launched their anticipated attack on Ukraine. In this photo, smoke rises from the territory of the Ukrainian Defence Ministry's unit, in eastern Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

Explosions were heard before dawn in Kyiv, Kharkiv and Odesa as world leaders decried the start of a Russian invasion that could cause massive casualties and topple Ukraine's democratically elected government. Credit: AFP Photo

Ukraine's government said Russian tanks and troops rolled across the border in a “full-scale war” that could rewrite the geopolitical order, whose fallout already reverberated around the world. In this photo, an injured Russian army serviceman lies on a road outside the city of Kharkiv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

Ukrainian military track burns at an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

Smoke rise from an air defence base in the aftermath of an apparent Russian strike in Mariupol, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

Ukrainians gather at a metro station as they seek shelter from expected Russian airstrikes in Kyiv. Credit: Reuters Photo

A man reacts as he stands by a body after heavy bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022. Credit: AFP Photo

A family take shelter in a station in central Kyiv after Russia invades Ukraine. Credit: AFP Photo

A man looks dejected as he sits outside his destroyed building in Chuguiv, Ukraine. Credit: AFP Photo

People stand outside a destroyed building after heavy bombings on the eastern Ukraine town of Chuguiv on February 24, 2022. Credit: AFP Photo

A damaged residential building, after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

People wait at Boryspil International Airport after Russia launched a massive military operation against Ukraine, in Boryspil, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

People gather at a bus station as they try to leave the city of Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

A view of a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Credit: AFP Photo

People queue at an ATM after Russian President Vladimir Putin authorised a military operation in eastern Ukraine, in Lviv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

A couple hugs as they console each other after Russia invades Ukraine, in Kyiv. Credit: AFP Photo

A woman gets emotional as she waits for a train trying to leave Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

A view of a damaged car in the aftermath of Russian shelling, parked in a street in Mariupol, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Credit: AFP Photo

Flame and smoke rise from the debris of a private house in the aftermath of Russian shelling outside Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

Workers prepare to load the debris of a rocket onto a truck the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

Workers load the debris of a rocket onto a truck the aftermath of Russian shelling in Kyiv, Ukraine. Credit: AP Photo

View shows the aftermath of shelling in Kharkiv, Ukraine. Credit: Reuters Photo

Firefighters extinguish a blaze at a damaged residential building at Koshytsa Street, a suburb of the Ukrainian capital Kyiv. Credit: AFP Photo