Russia's defense ministry said Thursday it had neutralised Ukrainian military airbases and its air defence systems, hours after Russian President Vladimir Putin launched a military operation against his country's neighbour.

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

This photo shows a view of the city of Kyiv, Ukraine, Thursday, Feb. 24, 2022. (Photo: AP)