Russia Invading Ukraine. Seated at a desk in the Kremlin alongside a battery of telephones and flanked by the Russian flag, Russian President Vladimir Putin declared Thursday morning on state television, “I have decided to launch a special military operation” against Ukraine.
The Russian president described Ukraine as a “severe threat.” He declared that “Its goal is to protect people who have been subjected to bullying and genocide… for the last eight years. And for this, we will strive for the demilitarization and denazification of Ukraine.
“And to prosecute those responsible for innumerable heinous crimes against people, especially against Russian citizens.”
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Ukraine’s President Volodymyr Zelensky declared martial law across the country, and the airspace was closed around an hour and a half after the invasion began.
Putin instructed the Ukrainian military to disarm and return home. “I implore you to put down your weapons now and return home. Putin said that all Ukrainian army servicemen who meet this need would be able to leave the battle zone and return to their families,” Putin said.
Ukraine rejects Russian allegations of genocide against residents in areas of the east captured by Russian-backed separatists in 2014. According to Kyiv, Putin was looking for a reason to attack.
Explosions were heard in Kyiv, Kharkiv in the east, Odesa on the Black Sea coast, and Mariupol near the Donbas region, which is home to the pro-Russian separatist provinces of Donetsk and Luhansk.
Ukrainian military later stated that they had been attacked in the north, not far from Kyiv, by Belarus forces.
According to CNN, these were Russian forces crossing the border, following Russia’s recent massing of military forces in Belarus, including tanks.
The Russian army stated that the strike was on military facilities with precision weaponry and that no attack on cities had been initiated.
Putin reiterated previous complaints about NATO and the US failing to meet Russia’s security demands.
“Russia cannot feel secure, grow, or exist in the face of a continual danger originating from modern Ukraine,” Putin stated.
Russia would immediately reply if any external entity attempted to sabotage its actions, Putin stressed. “Whoever attempts to obstruct us, and much more importantly, to create threats against our country and people, should be aware that Russia’s answer will be swift. And it will expose you to consequences you have never met before in your life.
Putin’s remarks came after the US revealed that Russia had almost 150,000 troops stationed near Ukraine’s borders.
“We are prepared for any turn of events. In this regard, all required decisions have been made. I’m hoping to be heard.”
Meanwhile, pro-Russian separatists in eastern Ukraine’s Donbas area proclaimed the commencement of a “extensive offensive” against the Ukrainian army in the region.
At Ukraine’s request, the UN Security Council scheduled an emergency meeting. On Thursday.
