The statements of the Ukrainian Army Commander-in-Chief on the alleged losses of Russian aircraft and armored vehicles are "False", Russian Defense Ministry announced.
On Thursday, the Ukrainian army claimed that five Russian planes, one helicopter were shot down in Luhansk, according to media reports.
The Ukraine crisis worsened sharply, early Thursday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a ‘military operation’.
Earlier, Russia recognized the independence of Donetsk and Luhansk, in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas region.
The Ukrainian Ministry of Interior announced that seven citizens were killed, as a result of the Russian bombing near Kyiv.
On the other hand, Russia 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".
On his part, French President Emmanuel Macron on Thursday condemned Russia's military actions in Ukraine, calling on Moscow to end them immediately.
"Russia must immediately end military operations," Macron tweeted.
"France stands in solidarity with Ukraine," Macron added. "We stand with the Ukrainians and will work with our partners and allies to end the war."
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