Russia Military Operation
Russia announces military operation in Eastern Ukraine. President Vladimir Putin has acknowledged the “special military operation” in the Donbas region. This has come after US, UK, and other European nations have announced their sanctions to deter the Russian invasion.
A few signs have pointed to the beginning of the attacks. The first one was President Putin allegedly not answering the calls of President Zelensky. The second sign was Russia announcing the Ukraine region as a no-fly zone. Finally, the Russian President has responded.
A few days ago, President Putin declared the eastern separatist-held regions of Ukraine independent. While Ukraine’s president did not acknowledge any of it, Putin is beginning his operations in the region.
United Nations
United Nations Secretary-General Antonio Guterres warns Moscow to give peace a chance and to stop attacking Ukraine. “The day was full of rumors and indications of an offensive against Ukraine was imminent. In the recent past, there were several situations with similar indications, similar rumors. And I never believed in them, convinced that nothing serious would happen,” Guterres told the council. “I was wrong. And I would like not to be wrong again today.”
US Ambassador to the UN Linda Thomas-Greenfield has also expressed her thoughts.
“We are here tonight because we believe, along with Ukraine, that a full-scale, further invasion into Ukraine by Russia is imminent,” Linda Thomas-Greenfield said at an emergency UN Security Council meeting.
“Tonight, we’re seeing the Russians close airspace, move troops into Donbas, and move forces into combat-ready positions,” she added, calling this “a perilous moment.”
“And we are here for one reason and one reason only: to ask Russia to stop. Return to your border. Send your troops, and your tanks, and your planes back to their barracks and hangars. And send your diplomats to the negotiating table,” she said.
Reports are coming in of explosions in Kyiv and the second largest city of the country Kharkiv.
President Putin addressed Ukrainian soldiers and advised them to lay down their arms and go home. He also warned that any military aggression will be on the conscience of the Ukrainian government.