ANKARA

Turkiye on Thursday urged its citizens in Ukraine to stay home amid the Russian intervention in Ukraine.

"Ukrainian airspace is still closed. At the current stage, we ask that you stay at home or in a safe place and avoid travel," the Foreign Ministry said in a statement.

The ministry added that necessary support and guidance will be provided for those who want to leave the country.

Russia is targeting key areas in cities with weapons and missiles, according to reports.

Early Thursday, explosions were reported in several Ukrainian provinces, including the capital Kyiv, and tanks reportedly crossed the border from Belarus into Ukraine.

The news followed Russian President Vladimir Putin announcing a military intervention in Ukraine, just days after recognizing two separatist-held enclaves in eastern Ukraine. The recognition drew international condemnation and announcements of tougher sanctions on Moscow.

Putin had amassed over 100,000 Russian troops around Ukraine in recent months but denied he had any intention of invading.