**Russian Military Operation in Ukraine: 24 Hours of News from Google**.
Early on Thursday, February 24, 2022, Russia commenced a large-scale military operation in Ukraine, marking a significant escalation in the ongoing Russo-Ukrainian conflict. Google News is providing continuous coverage of the situation, aggregating news and analysis from a wide range of sources..
**Key Updates from the Past 24 Hours**.
* The Russian military has launched attacks on multiple Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv, Kharkiv, and Mariupol..
* Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy declared martial law, urged citizens to remain calm, and ordered a general mobilization..
* The United States, the European Union, and other Western nations have strongly condemned Russia’s actions and vowed to impose severe sanctions..
* NATO has activated its defense plans but ruled out direct military intervention in Ukraine..
* The United Nations Security Council held an emergency meeting to discuss the crisis, with Russia vetoing a resolution condemning its actions..
* Thousands of Ukrainians have fled their homes, with reports of long lines at border crossings and traffic jams leading out of major cities..
* The humanitarian situation is deteriorating, with reports of civilian casualties, shortages of food and water, and damage to infrastructure..
**Timeline of Significant Events**.
* **February 24, 03:00 UTC:** Russian President Vladimir Putin announces a .
