OREANDA-NEWS. The official representative of the People's Militia of the Donetsk People's Republic, Eduard Basurin, said that the Azov unit was blocking the city of Mariupol. This was reported on the air of "Russia-24".

“More from the latest information: the city of Mariupol is being blocked by Azov units. Keeps civilians out so they don't leave this city. Still, there are half a million inhabitants there," the representative of the NM DPR emphasized.

According to him, units of the National Guard of Ukraine blocked all exits from Mariupol.

“They are trying to keep the residents, hiding behind their backs. There are numerous clashes between civilians and representatives of law enforcement agencies at checkpoints,” Basurin said.

On February 24, Russian President Vladimir Putin announced that he had decided to conduct a military special operation to protect Donbass in response to a request for help from the heads of the LPR and DPR.

Ukraine has introduced martial law throughout the country.

Explosions are heard in Kiev, Kharkov, Odessa and other large cities of the country. According to preliminary data, they are heard from the military units of the Armed Forces of Ukraine. Gazeta.Ru is broadcasting online.

Also, the LPR said that they shot down two Ukrainian aircraft.