According to U.S. officials, the Russian attack on Ukraine involved 100 missiles and 75 bombers.

Washington -- U.S. officials observed Russian forces firing approximately 100 missiles from land and sea on targets in Ukraine starting at 4:30 a.m., U.S. defense officials said. They also provided details about Russia's first moves in its brazen attack on its neighbor.

According to U.S. officials, the Russian attack on Ukraine involved 100 missiles and 75 bombers.

According to the U.S., the initial Russian barrage consisted of short- and mid-range ballistic missiles as well as cruise missiles and surface missiles. According to the official, the attack involved about 75 Russian fixed-wing bombers. The targets were military depots and air defense system.

A few hours later, some ground incursions were observed from Belarus to the northwest of Kyiv.

According to an official, the Russian offensive operates on three fronts: From Crimea in the South to the North; from the North to Central Ukraine, essentially Belarus and Kyiv; and, from the Northeast of Ukraine to the South, to Kharkiv. According to the official, Kharkiv is the second-largest Ukrainian city.

According to an official, the separate fronts are intended to capture key population centers. He also stated that the U.S. doesn't have an estimate of civilian and military casualties.

It is possible that you will witness this unfold in several phases. How many? How many? We don't know. We don't know.

According to the official, Russia is "making a move in Kyiv", but it's difficult to predict what they will do in Kyiv.

The official stated that they believe they intend to decapitate the government and install their own system of governance. This would explain the early moves towards Kyiv.

The attack began on Thursday morning, shortly after Russian President Vladimir Putin declared that he had "decided" to conduct a "special military operation" with the goal of "demilitarization" and "denazification" in Ukraine. This move was immediately condemned by President Biden and his Western allies who pledged to impose severe economic sanctions as a response to the aggression.