Ukraine is closing its airspace to civilian travel, the infrastructure ministry said Thursday, after Russian President Vladimir Putin announced the launch of a military operation against the country.

The ministry said the airspace was closing "due to the high risk to safety," halting air travel shortly after midnight (local).

Members of Ukraine's Territorial Defense Forces, volunteer military units of the Armed Forces train, in Kharkiv, Ukraine, Saturday, Jan. 29, 2022. (Photo: AP)