A major air operation with Russian Mi-8 helicopters is underway at Antonov International Airport, a few kilometres outside Kiev, according to international media correspondents and testimonies of local residents posting videos on social media.

As reported by a Buzzfeed News correspondent on Twitter, a large number of Russian Mi-8s are involved in the operation targeting the vital airport, located in Hostomel.

“The Interior Ministry says Russia is now in control,” Miller wrote in his post. This is a particularly dangerous development, as Antonov Airport (also known as Hostomel) is located very close to the Ukrainian capital.

At the same time, reports indicate that Kiev airport is under occupation, while the building of the military intelligence service has gone up in flames.