Operational information as of 3:44 p.m.

Russian troops break through to Mykolaiv. There are battles in the vicinity of Chernihiv.

Adviser to the head of the President's Office Mykhailo Podoliak at a briefing at the Office of the President of Ukraine

Russian troops attacking Ukraine have taken an operational pause and are regrouping, but positional fighting continues almost across the country near the border with the Russian Federation and Belarus.

"Henichesk, Skadovsk, Nova Kakhovka are under attack. There are a lot of photo and video recordings of the destruction caused by the Russian armed forces, even to civilian infrastructure", Mykhailo Podoliak said.

He noted that fierce fighting also continues in the Donetsk and Luhansk areas, and the Armed Forces of Ukraine were ready for such a development. Ukrainian defenders are very active in resisting and even pushing the enemy some distance from the border.

Ukraine still controls the supply of food and infrastructure that ensures people's daily lives. "It simply came to our notice then. There are some situational interruptions with cellular communication during the day, mobile communication, the Internet. But all this is under control, everything is being repaired quickly", he said.

Mykhailo Podoliak noted that in the south and east of Ukraine, the Russian armed forces are not only attacking military infrastructure, but have also begun to strike quickly at civilian targets.

In addition, according to him, not only the aggressor's ground forces entered the territory of Belarus, but also four ballistic missiles struck Ukraine. These are legal proofs of the great war that Russia waged against Ukraine with the help of Belarus, and they must be recorded, Mykhailo Podoliak stressed.

"There are also operative data that several Sabotage Group of the Russian Federation wanted to commit a terrorist act at the Chernobyl nuclear power plant and cause a powerful environmental catastrophe. It is clear that Russia does not just want to overthrow the government or replace it with puppet performers - it wants to cause maximum destruction in Ukraine. Even of an environmental nature", said the adviser to the head of the Office of the Head of State.

He also drew attention to the fact that Russia's attack on Ukraine is actively condemned by Russian citizens. The Russians are already beginning to understand that this is not a point-based military operation, as was the case in Donbass, but a large-scale, full-scale war, which will cause a large number of casualties.

Ministry of Defense of Ukraine

3:00 p.m. Ukrainian Territorial Defense unit defeated enemy's combat units with light weapon in Sumska oblast.

The Statement from the press centre of the Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine 1 p.m.:

- The occupiers fired at our positions 393 times today, 24 February 2022

- Russian troops destroyed 6 control posts and fired at 32 civilian objects

- A curfew will be introduced in some Ukrainian cities: compliance is essential for protecting the civilian population.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

1:50 p.m Control over the airport in Gostomel has been restored, according to the Verkhovna Rada. Russia is using aviation to secure breakthrough on the ground, incl. for capturing the strategic objects. Military helicopters and aircraft are in use.

Office of the President of Ukraine

President Zelenskyy at a briefing at the Office of the Head of State: The Ukrainian army, our border guards, police and special services stopped the enemy's attacks. In the language of conflict, this can be called an operational pause.

In Donbas, our Armed Forces are doing great, the Kharkiv direction is very difficult, the forces for the defense of the city are working, they are reliable, they are our men. The most problematic situation today is in the south. Our troops are fighting fierce battles in the suburbs of Kherson. The enemy is pushing out of the occupied Crimea, trying to advance towards Melitopol.

In the north of the country, the enemy is slowly advancing in the Chernihiv region, but there are forces to hold it. Reliable defense is built in the Zhytomyr region. Enemy paratroopers in Hostomel are blocked, troops are ordered to destroy them.

Yes, we, unfortunately, have losses, losses of our heroes. Yes, we have captured Russian soldiers. Our doctors are helping some of them - those who have surrendered. Many Russian aircraft and many armored vehicles were destroyed.

Yes, we see that many Russians are shocked by what is happening. Some Russians are already calling on social media that they are against the war. We see it. But the leadership of the Russian Federation is unlikely to see it.

The President addressed the Russian fellow citizens with a call to go out to the squares and to show the President of Russia their opposition to the aggression against Ukraine.

For the world community, Russia is becoming an analogue of the so-called DPR - this is complete isolation.

The President of Ukraine emphasized that Ukraine did not choose the path of war. But Ukraine offers to return to peace.

Zelenskyy called Ukrainians to help the national defense, join the ranks of the Armed Forces of Ukraine and territorial defense units. “Any citizen with combat experience will now be useful. It is up to you and all of us whether the enemy will be able to advance further into the territory of our independent state. Please help the volunteer community and the medical system, for example by donating blood” the President said.

The President of Ukraine added: “If you, dear European leaders, dear world leaders, leaders of the free world, do not help us today, then tomorrow the war will knock on your door”.

Ministry of Internal Affairs of Ukraine

The police, together with volunteers, are stepping up security to provide security in the regions.

Employees of all structural subdivisions, as well as veterans of internal affairs and volunteers are involved in patrolling settlements.

Law enforcement officers are also on duty at checkpoints, inspecting documents and inspecting vehicles, assisting drivers on the roads and explaining to the citizens how to act in the event of shelling.