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Russia take Chernobyl, and all the news you need to know this morning.

Updated 10:21pm 24 Feb 2022

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10:21pm 24 Feb, 2022

Reports 18 to 60-year-old men banned from leaving Ukraine.

By Brielle Burns

Jumping back on to bring you another update on the unfolding situation in Ukraine. 

There are reports Ukraine's Interior Ministry and State Border Guard Service has banned men aged between 18 and 60 from leaving the country under the newly instated martial law.

The law was announced by Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelenskyy yesterday in response to Russia's military operation. 

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9:53pm 24 Feb, 2022

The pop culture stories you may have missed.

By Chelsea McLaughlin

6am shift starts and late night theatre are not a great combination for my eyelids, but boy are they enjoyable in every other way. Last night, I saw 9 to 5: The Musical at Sydney's Capitol Theatre, and it was SPECTACULAR.

So funny, and so kick arse. It definitely made me want to kidnap my boss (Hey, Melody 👋 for legal purposes, this is a joke) and randomly break into Dolly Parton songs.

Speaking of Dolly, the musical's arrival was extra exciting for me because this was the entire reason I interviewed the legend herself at 3am on one stormy night in August last year. It's still the coolest thing that has ever happened to me, which you can read about here: "I feel like an aunt or an older sister." Dolly Parton on fame and her universal appeal.

During a brief reprieve from toe-tapping to Spotify's 'This Is Dolly Parton' playlist, I read an incredibly interesting feature from my colleague Ads, about our long fascination with celebrity divorce.

In it, she unpacks why we seem to latch onto juicy stories about famous people's downfalls, the schadenfreude we may feel, and how this many impact us. 

It's really, really good: The dirty business of public celebrity divorce.

Have a great weekend, everyone!

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7:10pm 24 Feb, 2022

Russia take Chernobyl, and all the news you need to know this morning.

By Brielle Burns

Morning all! Your news and social media feeds are no doubt filled with news of Russia and Ukraine.

If you're confused about what's going on right now, our News Editor Gemma Bath has explained the context behind the conflict for you right here: The Russian invasion is the biggest story in the world right now. Here's why you should care.

We also live blogged all the events that unfolded yesterday after Russian President Vladimir Putin ordered a "military operation in eastern Ukraine" following months of increased tensions. 

You can get up to speed on everything here: On-the-ground footage emerges from Ukraine, and everything else you need to know about Putin's invasion.

Now, lets get you across the top news stories women will be talking about today.

1. "Full-scale war" wide-ranging Russian attack this morning kills dozens as Putin takes Chernobyl. 

Ukrainian forces are battling Russian invaders on three sides after Moscow mounted an assault by land, sea and air in the biggest attack on a European state since World War Two.

On Thursday, (Friday morning AEDT), Russia launched a wide-ranging attack on Ukraine which saw cities and bases hit with airstrikes or shelling.

Ukraine's Minister of Healthcare, Viktor Lyashko, said 57 people have died and 169 people have been injured – including both combat and non-combat injuries. 

An adviser to the Ukrainian presidential office has also confirmed Russian forces have captured the Chernobyl nuclear power plant, just 90 kilometres north of the capital, and Hostomel airport in the Kyiv region.

Authorities in the southwesterly Odessa region said 18 people had been killed in a missile attack. At least six people were killed in Brovary, a town near Kyiv, authorities there said.

Ukraine's Foreign Minister says Putin has "launched a full-scale war" in the country, calling it a "war of aggression."

2. Morrison and Biden announce more sanctions on Russia.

On Thursday evening, Prime Minister Scott Morrison announced a second wave of sanctions on Russia, confirming there are more to come. 

The new sanctions were placed on 25 people including army commanders, deputy defence ministers and mercenaries who Morrison said are "responsible for the unprovoked and unacceptable regression".

Earlier, Australia already imposed sanctions against Russia before the country took "these deplorable steps" and "chose war."

"It's important that all countries engage in these sanctions against these individuals," Morrison said.

"It sends a very clear message. You sanction, support, benefit from this type of violence, then you will be isolated, you will be targeted."

In the US, President Joe Biden has unveiled harsh new sanctions against Russia this morning to impede the country's ability to do business in the world's major currencies along with sanctions against banks and state-owned enterprises. 

"This is a premeditated attack," Biden told reporters at the White House. "Putin is the aggressor. Putin chose this war. And now he and his country will bear the consequences."

3. Rallies and vigils held across Australia for Ukraine.

Rallies and vigils were held across the country on Thursday to show support for Ukraine and the Australian Ukranian community.

In Melbourne, public buildings in the CBD, including Flinders Street Station, were lit up blue and yellow, the colours of the Ukrainian flag.

Rallies also took place in Sydney and Melbourne, with several members of the Australian Ukranian community gathering at Sydney's Martin Place, chanting "please help Ukraine". 

4. Mask mandates ease in NSW and Victoria.

From today, masks are no longer required in NSW shops, in a move welcomed by those fighting to revive the state's city centres.

"From Friday masks are off," Premier Dominic Perrottet announced on Thursday.

"We will see a significant return back to the CBD and that will be positive."

Masks will still remain compulsory in key areas including public transport and hospitals.

In Victoria, mandates are also set to relax, with masks no longer required in most places from 11.59pm Friday. 

The mask mandate has been in place in some form since July 2020, but will soon only be required in limited situations, such as on public transport, taxis, and in airports and hospitals.

Some groups of workers will also have to keep wearing masks, including hospitality and retail workers, people who work in primary schools and early childhood centres, and justice and correctional facility staff.

5. Two dead as Queensland braces for more rain.

Two Queenslanders have died in floods as heavy rain is set to further drench the state's southeast.

A 54-year-old man has died trying to ride a motorbike through rising water at Gympie after a 63-year-old woman's body was found in a submerged car on the Sunshine Coast on Wednesday. 

The Bureau of Meteorology says more heavy rainfall and potentially "life threatening flash flooding" are set to peak on Friday in the state's southeast and possibly extend into northern NSW.

Heavy rain is not expected to ease in Queensland's southeast and northern NSW until Saturday due to the slow moving trough.

And you're all up to speed. 

We'll be back to bring you more of today's top news stories throughout the day. 

- With AAP.  

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7:01pm 24 Feb, 2022

What did Putin just do?

By The Quicky

Late yesterday afternoon our time, Russian President Vladimir Putin gave a live televised address, saying Russia had no intention of occupying Ukraine. 

Then minutes after that TV appearance, he authorised a military operation in the country’s Donbas region. 

So what does this mean for the world? What does this mean for Ukraine?

Is there anything that can stop Vladimir Putin from starting a potential world war?

READ: 

Feature Image: Tiktok @albatrossculture/Marcus Yam /Los Angeles Times/Getty/Twitter @AlchevskUA 

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