Japanese PM Says Situation in Ukraine Is 'Tense'

Japanese Prime Minister (PM) Fumio Kishida said Thursday that the situation in Ukraine is "tense".

In press remarks, Kishida added that Japan will work with G7 members and the international community on Ukraine issues, noting that they are still in the process of gathering information.

It is worth mentioning that, the Ukrainian Ministry of Interior announced that seven citizens were killed, as a result of the Russian bombing near Kyiv.

Russia had announced the destruction of Ukrainian air defenses and bases, according to media reports.

"Military infrastructure at Ukrainian army air bases has been rendered out of action," the defense ministry said in a statement,  which added that Kyiv's air defense systems were "eliminated".

The Ukraine crisis worsened sharply, early Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a ‘military operation’.

In a televised speech, Putin said, “I have made the decision of a military operation.”

Earlier, Russia recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.