Russia has invaded Ukraine as Vladimir Putin declared war.
Gatekeepers News reports that Russian forces have unleashed an attack on Ukraine after the orders of Vladimir Putin, who announced a “special military operation” at dawn.
This is coming amid warnings from world leaders that this could spark the biggest war in Europe since 1945.
Putin made this announcement in a short televised address, at about 5 am Ukrainian time. Within minutes of the broadcast, explosions were heard near major Ukrainian cities, including the capital Kyiv.
The scope of the Russian attack appears to be massive as Ukraine’s interior ministry reported that the country was under attack from a cruise and ballistic missiles. Russia is also appearing to target infrastructure near major cities such as Kyiv, Kharkiv, Mariupol, and Dnipro.
Aside this, a video showing how explosions from artillery rockets lit up the night sky as shelling began near Mariupol.
A Senior Adviser to Ukraine’s Interior Ministry explained that it appeared Russian troops may soon move to Kharkiv, which is about 20 miles from the border.
Meanwhile, locals in Kyiv sought safety in bomb shelters as explosions were heard outside the city.
Scenes that haven’t been experienced in those cities since 1941 were also seen as air raid sirens sounded over the capital and residents of Kharkiv sheltered in the city’s metro.
Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba, said, “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.”
In his bid to justify the attack, Putin in what amounted to be a declaration of war claimed that “A hostile anti-Russia is being created on our historic lands.
“We have taken the decision to conduct a special military operation… demilitarisation and denazification” of Ukraine, echoing a theme of Kremlin propaganda, the false claim that the Kyiv government is controlled by the far right.
“We do not intend to occupy Ukraine.”
While directing a chilling warning to other nations, the Russian president said, “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.”
Meanwhile, Russian media reported that the declaration of war may have been pre-recorded as Putin was wearing the same tie and seated at the same desk when he announced his recognition of the Russian-controlled territories on Monday.
As Putin’s words were being broadcast and the first detonations were being reported, the UN security council was holding an emergency session, chaired by Russia itself, which holds the rotating presidency. The UN Secretary-General, António Guterres, who began the session, made a direct appeal, “President Putin – stop your troops from attacking Ukraine. Give peace a chance. Too many people have already died.”
Joe Biden in a written statement said, “The prayers of the entire 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.”
Biden added, “Russia alone is responsible for the death and destruction this attack will bring, and the United States and its allies and partners will respond in a united and decisive way. The world will hold Russia accountable.”
“I am appalled by the horrific events in Ukraine and I have spoken to President Zelenskyy to discuss next steps. President Putin has chosen a path of bloodshed and destruction by launching this unprovoked attack on Ukraine. The UK and our allies will respond decisively,” said Boris Johnson.
The head of the EU Commission, Ursula von der Leyen who had announced new sanctions against Moscow just hours before the attack said, “We will hold the Kremlin accountable.”
The stage for the war was set on Thursday night (Ukrainian time) after the leaders of the two Russian-controlled territories in east Ukraine sent an official request to Moscow for military aid to “help repel the aggression of the Ukrainian armed forces in order to avoid civilian casualties and a humanitarian catastrophe in the Donbas”.
In response to the development, Ukraine’s President, Volodymyr Zelenskiy addressed the Russian public in a video after an attempt to speak to Putin was unsuccessful. “Do Russians want wars? I would very much like to answer this question. But the answer is up to you,” he said.
Zelenskiy also vowed to defend the country, saying, “If someone attempts to take away our land, our freedom, our lives, the lives of our children, we will defend ourselves. By attacking, you will see our faces, not our backs, but our faces.”
