Moscow: In one of the biggest crises of recent times, Russian President Vladimir Putin has announced a military invasion of Ukraine.
Putin announced his decision on television in the early hours of Thursday.
“I have made the decision of a military operation,” he said in the announcement.
Shortly after his speech on Russian state TV, Russian forces fired missiles at several Ukrainian cities and landed troops on its south coast.
Even in the capital of Ukraine, Kyiv, explosions could be heard.
The news was confirmed by Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, who tweeted, “Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes.”
Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Peaceful Ukrainian cities are under strikes. This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.
— Dmytro Kuleba (@DmytroKuleba) February 24, 2022
Dmytro called the invasion “war of aggression,” reiterated that Ukraine will defend itself, and urged the world to act now.
“This is a war of aggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now,” said the minister.
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres requested Putin to stoop his troops from attacking Ukraine. He urged Kremlin to give peace a chance.
Tonight, I have only one thing to say, from the bottom of my heart:
President Putin, stop your troops from attacking Ukraine.
Give peace a chance.
Too many people have already died. pic.twitter.com/PPgmABZiKl
— António Guterres (@antonioguterres) February 24, 2022
Washington’s response
Meanwhile, US President Joe Biden denounced Russian aggression as an “unprovoked and unjustified” attack on Ukraine.
The prayers of the world are with the people of Ukraine tonight as they suffer an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. https://t.co/Q7eUJ0CG3k
— President Biden (@POTUS) February 24, 2022
Biden pledged that the world will account Russia accountable for its actions.
The US president expressed solidarity with the people of Ukraine and said his prayers were with them.
Putin’s answer
Russia justified its actions as a response to the unacceptable and continued eastward expansion of NATO.
Putting the blame on Ukraine, Putin said that Russia cannot feel “safe, develop, and exist with a constant threat emanating from the territory of modern Ukraine”.
Therefore, all bloodshed will be on the “conscience of the ruling regime in Ukraine”, said Putin.
Putin also warned foreign powers of any idea of intervention and threatened them with dire consequences.
BREAKING: Putin says foreign powers that intervene in Ukraine conflict will witness consequences they have not seen before
— The Spectator Index (@spectatorindex) February 24, 2022
PUTIN: "To anyone who would consider interfering from the outside: if you do, you will face consequences greater than any you have faced in history. All relevant decisions have been taken. I hope you hear me."
— Conflict News (@Conflicts) February 24, 2022
