Russia’s president said that “all decisions have already been taken and that Russians need to prepare for changes in the coming days”.
Upon announcing the start of an operation in eastern Ukraine on Wednesday night (23) Russian President Vladimir Putin made a speech to the Russians. He stated that “all decisions have already been taken and that the Russians need to prepare for changes in the coming days.
Putin warned that no other country should interfere with Russian action in the breakaway region of Ukraine.
“Anyone who tries to interfere, or even more, create threats for our country and our people, should know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead to consequences like never before experienced in history,” said the Russian leader.
Russia’s president also stated that responsibility for the*war and its aftermath rests with Ukraine.
“All responsibility will lie with the Ukrainian regime. All decisions have already been taken. The truth is on our side. The objectives will be achieved.”
Putin warned Russians must prepare for changes in daily life in the country, already anticipating tougher sanctions from the United States and allies. “It will be necessary to adapt to the changes that may happen,” he said.
Volodymyr Zenlensky
Shortly after information began to emerge of a broad Russian action in different areas of Ukraine, Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zenlensky released a message on Thursday morning (24) calling for calm and informing that he is adopting martial law.
“Dear Ukrainian citizens, this morning President Putin announced a special military operation in Donbas. Russia has carried out attacks against our military infrastructure and our border guards. Explosions were heard in many cities in Ukraine. We are introducing martial law throughout the territory of our country. Today each of you must remain calm. Stay home if you can. We are working. The army is working. The entire defense and security sector is up and running. No panic. We are strong. We are ready for anything. We will win them all because we are Ukraine.”
Russia, with the authorization of its president, Vladimir Putin, began in the early hours of this Thursday (24) a wide-ranging military operation to invade Ukraine. There are images of explosions and tank movements in different Ukrainian cities. Putin told Ukrainian forces to lay down their weapons and return home.
“Whoever tries to interfere, or even more, create threats for our country and our people, must know that Russia’s response will be immediate and will lead to consequences like never before experienced in history”, he threatened.
Here’s a summary so far:
Russia initiated the invasion of Ukraine in several parts of the country
there are reports of explosions and missile attacks in Kiev and Kharkiv, among other cities
the Ukrainian military would be trying to react
President Zelensky called for calm and instituted martial law
Border guard units and checkpoints are said to be under attack in Ukraine’s Luhansk, Sumy, Kharkiv, Chernihiv and Zhytomyr regions.
Tanks enter the city of Mariupol, Ukraine, after Putin orders an invasion of the country – Photo: Reuters/Carlos Barria
Shortly after Putin’s announcement of the invasion, reports began in the press of sounds of explosions and artillery in the Ukrainian cities of Kharkiv and Kiev, among others . Military command centers in those two cities were attacked with missiles, an Interior Ministry source told a Ukrainian website. The capital’s airport was emptied and flights were suspended.
“Putin has just launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukraine’s peaceful cities are under attack. This is a*war ofaggression. Ukraine will defend itself and will win. The world can and must stop Putin. The time to act is now.” , said Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba.
Earlier this morning, an adviser to the Ukrainian Interior Ministry said that a bombing had left 1 dead and 1 wounded in Brovary, in the Kiev region.
An adviser to Ukrainian Interior Minister Anton Gerashchenko said Russian troops had landed in the city of Odessa and crossed the border into the city of Kharkiv.
Gerashchenko added that there were missile*attacks on the Vasilkovsky air base near Kiev. He also said that the mayor of Dnipro reported hearing explosions.
Putin said his country could not tolerate what he called “threats from Ukraine” and warned against foreign interference. He further stated that all responsibility for any potential bloodshed will be on the Ukrainian government’s conscience and said he is confident the Russian military will do its duty.
Putin has warned Russians that they need to prepare for changes in daily life in the country, already anticipating tougher sanctions from the United States and allies. “It will be necessary to adapt to the changes that may happen,” he said.
Image shows Russian tank circulating in Ukrainian territory — Photo: Reproduction/GloboNews
“All responsibility will be with the Ukrainian regime. All decisions have already been taken. It is necessary to adapt to the changes that happen. The truth is on our side. The objectives will be achieved”, said Putin.
Kiev residents take shelter in a metro station after the start of the invasion of Ukraine by Russian forces (Photo: Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)
Police officers inspect the remains of a missile on a street in Kiev (Photo: Reuters/Valentyn Ogirenko)
American reaction
The United States reacted immediately by saying that Russia’s attack is unjustifiable and that it will pay for what it is causing the world .
“The prayers of the entire world are with the people of Ukraine tonight , who suffer an unprovoked and unwarranted attack by Russian military forces. President Putin has chosen a premeditated*war that will bring*catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. 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 manner. The world will hold Russia accountable,” said President Joe Biden’s statement issued after Putin’s announcement.
US Secretary of State Antony Blinken warned on Wednesday that Russia could invade Ukraine “before the end of the night”.
Separatists ask for help
On Wednesday, heads of the self-proclaimed People’s Republic of Donetsk and People’s Republic of Luhansk asked for Russia’s help in repelling what they say are increasing aggression by Ukrainian forces.
These are the two breakaway regions of eastern Ukraine that were recognized on February 21 as independent by Moscow.
The heads of the two breakaway regions allege that residents of the area are fleeing “due to the worsening situation and threats from Kiev”. The Russian Parliament has given the green light for the deployment of Russian troops to foreign territory.
