Russian President Vladimir Putin launches military operation in eastern Ukraine
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MOSCOW – Russian President Vladimir Putin early Thursday announced a special military operation in Ukraine’s eastern Donbas region in a move he said aimed to protect civilians that didn’t include plans to occupy Russia’s smaller neighbor.
Reports in international media said Russian forces rendered unusable Ukrainian navy and captured Boryspil Airport in Kyiv.
In a televised address, the Russian President urged Ukrainian soldiers to surrender and return to their homes saying Moscow did not plan to occupy Ukraine.
Putin’s statement came after the Kremlin said rebel leaders in eastern Ukraine urged Moscow for military help against Ukraine.
Meanwhile, Ukraine leaders called on the international community saying Russia launched a full-scale invasion of Ukraine. Ukrainian Foreign Minister Dmytro Kuleba said “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.”
Amid the full special military operation, explosions were heard in several Ukrainian cities.
United States President Joe Biden also reacted to the invasion. He said the West would respond in a united and decisive way to an unprovoked and unjustified attack by Russian military forces on Ukraine.
Biden lamenting at situation said “Putin has chosen a premeditated war that will bring a catastrophic loss of life and human suffering. The world will hold Russia accountable.” Biden will address the nation at noon on Thursday, and on Wednesday night he condemned Russia's 'unprovoked and unjustified attack.'
Moscow entered Ukraine days after recognizing the self-proclaimed people's republics of Donetsk and Luhansk in eastern Ukraine.
