Explosions, sirens, and long lines at military recruitment offices. Here’s a glimpse of the first day of full-scale war (photos and videos included).

Exactly three years ago, on February 24, 2022, Ukrainians awoke to the sound of explosions — Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a full-scale war against Ukraine. On the very first day of the Russian invasion, 137 military personnel and civilians from Ukraine lost their lives.

"Telegraph" recalls the events of that day, which will forever be etched in the memories of Ukrainians. Early in the morning on February 24, Putin announced a "special military operation," which he claimed aimed to "protect" Donbas. The dictator declared plans to "demilitarize" and "denazify" Ukraine.

Almost immediately after Putin's address, explosions began to erupt across Ukraine. Thousands of units of Russian armored vehicles breached the Ukrainian border. Ukrainians heard the wailing air raid sirens for the first time, which have not ceased since. The invaders advanced to the outskirts of Kharkiv and Sumy, and attacked (with airborne troops) the airfield in Hostomel, Kyiv region.

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Specifically, explosions were reported in Kyiv, Kharkiv, Dnipro, Boryspil, Brovary, Kherson, Uman, Ivano-Frankivsk, Chuhuiv, Ozerne (airfield), Kulbakino (airfield), Kramatorsk (airfield), and Chornobaivka (airfield). According to the U.S. Department of Defense, Russia launched over 160 missiles at Ukraine.

Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law and a nationwide mobilization across the country. Many women with children hurried to evacuate. Train stations in Kyiv and other major cities were crowded with people.

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Queues formed outside military recruitment offices with men eager to defend Ukraine.

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Ukrainians began to resist the occupiers. In the initial days of the war, people confronted Russian tanks with little more than their bare hands. Russian equipment started to burn. The first Russian prisoners of war appeared.

According to Ukrainian sources, on the first day of the invasion, the occupiers lost:

• tanks — over 30
• armored personnel carriers — 130
• aircraft — 7
• helicopters — 6
• personnel — 800 individuals

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As reported by "Telegraph," Kyrylo Budanov, the head of Ukraine's Main Intelligence Directorate, believes that the end of the war in Ukraine by 2025 is quite realistic. However, it is difficult to say whether it will be prolonged and effective.